In a surprising turn of events, two contentious yellow box junctions located in Kingston, South London, which amassed an impressive £450,000 in revenue within just eight months, have been deemed "legally compliant." This finding has stirred up significant debate among residents and local businesses who have expressed concerns that these junctions are functioning as nothing more than a “cash cow.”
Despite these worries, Kingston Council has announced that it will not alter either the configuration or enforcement strategies related to these junctions on Kingston Road in New Malden. This decision follows an investigation prompted by three council members who called for a special meeting to address the community's apprehensions.
According to a recent report issued by council officers, their analysis concluded that the design and enforcement mechanisms in place at the yellow box junctions are both "legally compliant and proportionate." Their recommendation is to maintain the current layout while providing more detailed enforcement data for each junction moving forward, thereby enhancing transparency for all stakeholders involved. A crucial vote regarding these recommendations is scheduled for January 22 during a special session of the New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee.
These yellow box junctions, situated at the intersections with Elm Road and Westbury Road on Kingston Road, have been operational since at least 2015, with camera enforcement starting in 2020. This system imposes a fine of £160 on drivers who stop in the yellow grid when their exit isn't clear and who are not waiting to turn right. If paid within 14 days, this penalty is reduced to £80.
The call for the meeting was initiated by independent councillors James Giles, Yvonne Tracey, and Kamala Kugan after they received data from a Freedom of Information request revealing that over 6,568 penalty charge notices (PCNs) had been issued to motorists in violation of the yellow box regulations from January to August of the previous year. This staggering number translated into approximately £451,405 in fines, averaging around £2,000 per day.
Local councillors have reported numerous complaints from residents and businesses claiming that the junctions function more as a revenue-generating mechanism rather than a legitimate traffic management solution. However, the council's report maintains that the primary purpose of these measures is to enhance road safety and optimize traffic flow.
Notably, the report also highlighted a decline in the number of fines issued for violations at the yellow box junctions over the last four completed financial years, indicating the effectiveness of the enforcement measures. Specifically, the figures show that 10,288 fines were issued in 2021/2022, which decreased to 8,888 in 2022/23, further dropping to 8,758 in 2023/24, and finally reaching 7,359 in 2024/25.
As stated in the report, "The council employs enforcement measures to ensure adherence to yellow box regulations aimed at improving traffic conditions and road safety. Our enforcement strategy is designed to decrease violations, leading to enhanced compliance and achieving our overarching traffic management objectives."
Additionally, it was noted that any extra revenue generated through the enforcement of yellow boxes and other traffic-related offenses must be allocated for specific purposes, including the maintenance of highways. The upcoming council meeting on January 22 will delve into discussions surrounding these junctions and their future.
