Yahoo News Yellow box junction rules explained as council ‘makes £23,000 a month from fines’
Following a successful legal challenge against fines issued by Newham Council, here's what you should know about yellow box junction rules.
An east London council made £23,000 from fines issued to drivers entering a yellow box junction, despite roadworks making it impossible for them to take another route.
More than 350 drivers were issued Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) by Newham Council over the junction on Barking Road before the local authority was taken to court by one disgruntled motorist.
After an appeal against his fine was rejected by Newham Council, 49-year-old Ricardo Bowden went to London Tribunals, a legal body that provides support for these kinds of cases, with adjudicators going on to rule in the driver's favour.
They ruled that “at the material time the box markings served no purpose whatsoever and did not fulfil its statutory purpose”, and said the council had been "wholly unreasonable" – ordering it to pay Bowden's legal costs, the Telegraph reports.
Afterwards, a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by Bowden revealed how during the month of roadworks in April and May last year, Newham Council had issued 376 PCNs, “recovering” £22,975 from 306 paid fines over the same junction.
It follows a study commissioned last year by the RAC that out of 100 yellow box junctions analysed in London and Cardiff, 98 were larger than they needed to be. On average, they were 50% bigger than required to serve their purpose – to prevent vehicles blocking the path of crossing traffic.
Here, Yahoo News takes a look at the rules on yellow box junctions and potential penalties.
What are the rules for waiting in a yellow box junction?
Yellow box junctions are covered in Rule 174 of the Highway Code, which says: "You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear.
"However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right.
"At signalled roundabouts, you MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross over it completely without stopping."
A guide by Transport for London adds: "Do not simply follow the vehicle in front as it may stop and prevent your exit and don't let other drivers pressure you to enter the box when a clear exit is not available."
Can you get fined for breaking yellow box junction rules?
According to the RAC, the PCN for stopping in a yellow box along Transport for London (TfL) red routes is £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days.
London boroughs set their penalty at £130, reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days.
Other local authorities across England, and Cardiff, issue fines of £70, which if paid within 21 days, are reduced to £35.
In Scotland, the penalty is £130 for improperly using a box junction which is reduced to £65 if the fine is paid within two weeks.
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