Latest news with #trafficfines
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Manchester council rakes in over £440k from just SIX junctions in a year
Manchester council raked in more than £440,000 worth of fines from just SIX junctions last year, in a crackdown on offences in 'high-risk' yellow box areas. According to new figures released by the RAC following an FOI request, the authority dished out 13,130 penalties in 2024, more than anywhere else in the UK. The equivalent of 36 fines a day, this brought in £446,706. That figure accounts for nearly half of all yellow box-related revenue outside London and Cardiff. READ MORE: 15 years ago he made a prediction about Manchester that proved correct - now he has made another READ MORE: Teenager disappears after boarding flight at Manchester Airport In 2023, councils received additional powers from the government to enforce rules relating to 'moving traffic offences', most notably including box junctions. The RAC has previously issued warnings that the disproportionate number of fines issued by a small number of councils, including Manchester council, could suggest there are problems with the design or location of the boxes. Offences enforced by the fines include ignoring yellow box markings, making a right or left turn when prohibited, or driving the wrong way down a one-way street. The fines are enforced with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, which allow the council to issue the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Drivers are fined £70 for a contravention, which is reduced to £35 if the sum is paid within 21 days of it being issued. Manchester council told the Manchester Evening News restrictions which could only be enforced by the police were take on by the authority following a consultation in 2022. It added that it was 'pleased to see that the majority of motorists using these junctions obey the rules of the road and help prevent unnecessary gridlock'. Kirkmanshulme Lane at its junction with Mount Road, close to Belle Vue train station, made the most money. The six junctions in Greater Manchester at the centre of the fines are understood to be: Cheetham Hill Road / Elizabeth Street – No right turn Ashton Old Road / Chancellor Lane / Fairfield Street – Yellow box Princess Parkway / Palatine Road – Yellow box Great Ancoats Street / Oldham Road / Oldham Street – Yellow box Kirkmanshulme Lane / Mount Road – Compulsory left turn / Yellow box Wilmslow Road / M56 junction 6 – Ahead Only Manchester council accounted for 49 per cent, just under half, of all the revenue from yellow box fines outside London and Cardiff. During the same period, Reading Borough Council, which has eight junctions it can enforce compared to Manchester City Council's six, issued 1,638 fines. Meanwhile Gloucester County Council raised just £945 from 30 fines on their single yellow box over the same period - less than a single day's fines for Manchester council. Manchester council was also well ahead of the second highest authority, issuing nearly three times as many fines as the 4,433 by Medway council. Before May 2022 only councils in London and Cardiff could enforce yellow box junctions, but freedom of information requests sent to councils which applied for these powers has revealed that 36 boxes outside London and Cardiff are now being enforced. These laws were still in effect in those authorities before the new rules, but only the police and not local authorities had powers to enforce them. According to the Highway Code, drivers must not enter a yellow box unless the exit from the box is clear or they are waiting for a gap in oncoming traffic so they can safely turn right. Guidance issued to councils says that during the first six months of a box being operational they should issue warning notices to drivers the first time they break the rules, instead of a fine. This allows drivers to familiarise themselves with the box rather than springing it on motorists, though if they do it again or after that six month period then they will receive a fine. A spokesperson for Manchester council said: "Following a consultation in 2022 the Council took on board powers to enforce against moving traffic contraventions (MTCs) in a select number of locations throughout the city. "Up until that point these were restrictions which could only be enforced by the police, which meant that a minority of motorists were able to break the rules of the road without any consequence. "Cameras were put in place to monitor specific junctions for manoeuvres such as illegal right or left turns, or blocking yellow hatched boxes. We know the vast majority of motorists find these incidents extremely frustrating as they can snarl up traffic, cause delays and inflame tensions on the road. "These measures were put in place to act as a deterrent for this sort of behaviour and we are pleased to see that the majority of motorists using these junctions obey the rules of the road and help prevent unnecessary gridlock. "Before these measures were put in place a campaign was launched to advise motorists, and the junctions where cameras are in place are clearly signposted warning that cameras are in operation. "A six-week period of grace was also implemented to allow the scheme to take root without penalising drivers getting used to the new layout, and any first offences within the first six months were only sent a warning letter." RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said that the enormous disparity should sound 'alarm bells'. "The enormously high number of penalty charge notices being raised in just a few council areas suggests things are awry," said Mr Dennis. "The large number of penalties being dished out over a small number of locations and in a short space of time should send alarm bells ringing in council offices." He added that the massive disparity could mean that the boxes are not working properly in the councils issuing the most fines, and criticised their potentially being seen as an automotive golden goose for cash-strapped local authorities. 'As the data shows, not every council now enforcing yellow boxes is generating a huge amount of money from fines," he said. "In fact, a small number of fines – and a small number of appeals – indicates a yellow box that's working as it should. "This should be the ambition behind any yellow box that a council is looking to start enforcing, rather than being seen as a revenue-raising opportunity."
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Manchester drivers hit by yellow box fines of almost £450k
Drivers in Manchester have been fined nearly £450,000 over yellow box junctions, after enforcement powers were made available to councils, figures RAC, which obtained data showing £1m of fines were issued across the UK from 36 boxes in the last year said the "enormously high number" of penalty charge notices (PCNs) should "send alarm bells ringing in council offices".Manchester City Council issued the most PCNs with 13,130 in relation to six junctions, bringing in £446,706. The authority said cameras had been put in place as a "deterrent" to illegal manoeuvres and they were well signposted and visible. Yellow boxes are used to try ensure traffic flows smoothly through busy junctions and motorists should not enter them unless their exit is clear or they are waiting to turn are generally £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 a fraction of yellow box fines are appealed against by drivers, with the highest proportion appealed being 18% in the Manchester City Council single junction that generated the largest revenue was at Dennis Roundabout in Guildford, Surrey, costing drivers £81,445 as 4,250 PCNs were and Cardiff were the only parts of the UK where drivers could be fined for yellow box offences until new legislation was introduced in of Information data provided by English councils showed 36 yellow boxes outside London and Cardiff were enforced last year, with drivers paying £998,640. 'Must be fair' Rod Dennis from the RAC said a yellow box which generates a small number of fines indicates it was "working as it should", which must be the ambition for councils rather than using them as a "revenue-raising opportunity"."Very few people set out to deliberately flout the rules and get fined," he said. "The large number of penalties being dished out over a small number of locations and in a short space of time should send alarm bells ringing in council offices." Manchester City Council said the cameras, which were well signposted and advertised, had been put in place to "act as a deterrent" to illegal turns or blocking of the boxes and the "majority" of drivers obeyed the rules and "help prevent unnecessary gridlock".A "six-week period of grace" was also implemented, it said, with any first offences within the first six months only sent warning Local Government Association said: "All councils follow guidance to ensure motorists are treated fairly."There are processes for appeal if anyone believes they have been unfairly fined." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Guildford junction generates largest revenue in yellow box fines
A junction in Surrey generated the largest revenue in fines from drivers who entered yellow box junctions illegally in England last year, new research has who enter these boxes, which are designed to ensure smooth traffic flow, risk a fine unless their exit is clear or they are waiting to turn obtained by the RAC found that 4,250 penalty notices (PCNS) were issued for the Dennis Roundabout in Guildford - costing drivers a total of £81, figures show that drivers across the country were fined £998,640 during this period, with Medway Council in Kent raising £145,162 from 4,433 PCNs - the second highest amount by any local authority, after Manchester. The RAC says these statistics, obtained through Freedom of Information requests, should "send alarm bells ringing in council offices".Senior policy officer Rod Dennis said councils should not use yellow boxes as a "revenue-raising opportunity"."It's vital box junctions are used in the correct places and are only as big as absolutely necessary," he said."They must be fairly set up so that drivers don't find themselves stranded through no fault of their own." Fines 'enormously high' Legislation introduced in May 2022 has enabled all councils across England to apply for enforcement close to £1m recouped last year came from 36 yellow box junctions where fines were enforced, outside London and Cardiff. A total of 32,748 PCNs were issued last year, an amount described as "enormously high" by the RAC. A spokesperson for Surrey County Council said: "There are two yellow boxes on the [Dennis] roundabout. "Prior to applying for moving traffic enforcement powers, we carried out a preliminary survey of these yellow boxes, which found that there were potentially about 3,000 contraventions a week on each of them. "This reflected how congested the roundabout is due to the high levels of non-compliance with the yellow boxes."Alex Paterson, Medway Council's portfolio holder for community safety, highways and enforcement, said box junctions are not about "catching people out". He added: "Road markings at these locations have been updated to ensure nobody could reasonably claim not to have seen them, and we have even issued warning notices instead of fines for first-time offences during a six-month grace period."
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Drivers fined £1MILLION last year for one type of road traffic offence after councils were given new powers to extend the war on motorists
Motorists last year were fined almost £1million for one type of road traffic offence that's only been enforced outside of London and Cardiff for the last three years under new rules to extend the war on drivers. A staggering £998,640 of penalty charge notices (PCNs) were issued to drivers in 2024 for one specific infringement. Local authorities hit them with penalty charges for breaching rules at just 36 different yellow box junctions across England. It comes after the Government in May 2022 allowed councils to apply for the right to enforce this type of moving traffic offence, essentially giving power to local authorities to treat motorists like cash cows. It includes taking over enforcement powers from police for a number of different moving traffic violations, such as ignoring no entry signs and driving in designated cycle lanes. The RAC, which obtained the statistics through Freedom of Information requests, said the 'enormously high number' of PCNs should 'send alarm bells ringing in council offices'. Below is a list of the local authorities issuing the most yellow box junction fines. Click the links to see where these box junctions are located. Yellow boxes are used in an attempt to ensure traffic flows smoothly through busy junctions. Motorists should not enter them unless their exit is clear or they are waiting to turn right. London and Cardiff were the only parts of the UK where drivers could be fined for yellow box offences until the Government introduced new legislation in 2022, which enables all councils across England to apply for enforcement powers. Data provided by English councils in response to FoI requests by the motoring organisation showed that just 36 yellow boxes outside London and Cardiff were enforced last year. However, these locations triggered 32,748 PCNs. Penalty charges for these types of infringements are generally £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days. Kent's Medway Council raised the second highest amount at £145,162 after handing out 4,433 PCNs for the five yellow boxes it enforced. Pictured: Yellow box at Rainham Road, junctions with Ash Tree Lane and Canterbury Street, Gillingham The RAC analysis found Manchester City Council issued the most box junction-related PCNs, with 13,130 for six box junctions across its network. This brought in £446,706 which was nearly half of all yellow box-related revenue outside London and Cardiff. Kent's Medway Council raised the second highest amount at £145,162 after handing out 4,433 PCNs for the five yellow boxes it enforced. It was followed by Buckinghamshire Council, which received £139,798 for 3,618 fines. But the single junction that generated the largest revenue was at Dennis Roundabout in Guildford, Surrey, which cost drivers £81,445 as 4,250 PCNs were issued. At the other end of the scale, Gloucestershire County Council issued just 30 yellow box PCNs, raising £945, while Leeds City Council handed out 50 fines, resulting in £605 being paid. Only a fraction of yellow box fines are appealed by drivers, but the proportion of attempts that are successful can be as high as 87 per cent in the case of Medway Council. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said a yellow box which generates a small number of fines indicates it is 'working as it should', which must be the ambition for councils rather than using them as a 'revenue-raising opportunity'. He went on: 'Very few people set out to deliberately flout the rules and get fined. 'The large number of penalties being dished out over a small number of locations and in a short space of time should send alarm bells ringing in council offices. 'It's vital box junctions are used in the correct places and are only as big as absolutely necessary. 'They must be fairly set up so that drivers don't find themselves stranded through no fault of their own.' The Government in May 2022 allowed councils to apply for the right to enforce this type of moving traffic offence, essentially giving power to local authorities to treat motorists like cash cows RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said a yellow box should not be seen as a 'revenue-raising opportunity' for councils Chartered engineer Sam Wright was commissioned by the RAC to analyse the 100 boxes across London and Cardiff which were responsible for generating the most fines in 2019. A report published last year showed he found 98 were larger than necessary for their role in preventing queuing vehicles blocking the path of crossing traffic. The average box was 50 per cent bigger than needed, according to the research. The Local Government Association, Manchester City Council, Medway Council and Buckinghamshire Council have been approached for comment.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
RAC reveals the single yellow box junction catching 12 drivers every day - and raising £80K in fines
New figures have revealed that a single, prolific yellow box junction is catching 12 drivers on average every day, amassing more than £80,000 in fines in one year. The data, revealed by the RAC, showed 10 local authorities collected fines worth a combined £998,640 from just 36 yellow box junctions in 2024. The RAC said the 'enormously high number' of penalty charge notices (PCNs) should 'send alarm bells ringing". Before 2022, only London and Cardiff could be fined for yellow box offences. In May that year, the government introduced new legislation that enables all councils across England to apply for enforcement powers. According to the RAC, which obtained the statistics through Freedom of Information (FoI) requests, Manchester City Council was revealed to have amassed the most revenue from yellow box fines outside of London and Cardiff. It collected £446,706 from 13,130 PCNs for infringements in six boxes, the equivalent of 36 a day. The highest Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) income from a single yellow box was the Dennis Roundabout in Guildford, Surrey, which saw 4,250 PCNs issued to drivers amassing £81,445 in fines. The RAC sent FOI requests to 27 councils in England that had applied for powers to issue so-called 'moving traffic offences' from central government, with 12 authorities responding. The motor services company has stated the need for government guidelines to stipulate where and how big these boxes can be to avoid drivers being caught unfairly. Previously the RAC reported that they have uncovered problems with as many as 90% of yellow boxes that councils were seeking to enforce. Issues included drivers not being able to see where boxes end, boxes being larger than they need to be and ones extending beyond T-junctions. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: 'The enormously high number of penalty charge notices being raised in just a few council areas suggests things are awry.' Earlier this year, Yahoo News reported how Newham council in east London made £23,000 from fines issued to drivers entering a yellow box junction, despite roadworks making it impossible for them to take another route. Eleven local authorities were revealed to have issued fines in 36 separate boxes outside of London and Cardiff– with a total of 32,748 (PCNs) being issued to drivers in 2024. Medway Council in Kent, raised the second highest amount in fines from 4,433 PCNs in five yellow boxes, the equivalent of 13 a day, raising £145,162. Buckinghamshire County Council were third highest, issuing 3,618 PCNs from four yellow boxes, which was equivalent to 10 a day, raising £139,798. Mr Dennis added: 'It's vital box junctions are used in the correct places and are only as big as absolutely necessary. They must be fairly set up so that drivers don't find themselves stranded through no fault of their own. Sadly, we are aware of several locations where this isn't the case.' The Highway Code states drivers must not enter a yellow box unless they can get through it without stopping. If you do stray into a yellow box and your vehicle becomes stationary when the lights are red or the vehicle cannot clear the box due to congestion, you may be issued a PCN. The sole exception to entering a PCN is if you are waiting to turn right but are prevented from doing so by oncoming traffic. A fine can be issued when the vehicle is stationary within the yellow box or if your vehicle blocks other vehicles from entering or leaving the junction. The RAC say that if a vehicle enters the yellow box but is still moving, or if they entered when the light was amber and couldn't clear the box in time, they may not be fined. Also, you may be exempt from a fine due to a medical emergency or other extenuating circumstances, which may be taken into account. If you are caught in a yellow box, the fine can range from £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days of the notice being issued, or up to £160 in London, with a similar reduction possible. If you receive a PCN notice you will receive a letter in the post detailing the alleged contravention. Instructions will be included with the PCN for how to 'make representations' to the local authority that issued the fine. At this stage you can appeal against the PCN. It is important that you send any images or other evidence to the local authority at this stage to assist your appeal. If the authority rejects your challenge, you will then be able to appeal to an independent adjudicator. Statutory guidance for councils states they should issue warning notices to drivers caught infringing the box for the first time, during the first six months of enforcing a yellow box, with penalty charge notices issued after. Click below to see the latest South and South East headlines
