Yellow box junction downsized after £2m fines

A controversial yellow box junction which has generated almost £2m in fines over the past decade has been scaled back by Croydon Council following a backlash from motorists.

A recent ruling by London Tribunals ordered the council to cancel any penalty charge notices (PCNs) after adjudicators found the enforcement area to be "disproportionately large" and "fundamentally flawed".

A Freedom of Information request revealed the council had issued 26,244 PCNs, each carrying a £160 fine, since enforcement began on 17 January 2017.

The junction has now been altered, with the centre of the box replaced by a "keep clear" marking, which does not carry a penalty if vehicles stop within it.

Half of the original yellow box extended over a private driveway serving No 1 Croydon tower, meaning vehicles turning left from East Croydon bus station had to wait for gaps at the far end of the box to avoid being penalised.

Sam Wright, an internet personality who goes by the name The Yellow Box Guru, discussed the junction on social media in March.

He called on the council to rethink the layout, describing it as a "pointless obstacle".

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the changes were made, he said: "This was an example of a yellow box that created more problems than it solved, specifically for buses exiting East Croydon Station as well as pointless fines for many drivers."

He added: "Credit to Croydon Council for making this change; it is to be commended. Other councils should take note and chop back their oversized boxes."

Croydon Council has been contacted for further comment.

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