A Liberal Democrat-led council is standing by a yellow box junction branded a 'cash cow' after it generated a staggering £450,000 in fines in just eight months, despite a barrage of complaints from residents and businesses.
Council Defends Enforcement Amid Backlash
Kingston Council has declared the layout and enforcement of the contentious junctions on Kingston Road, New Malden, to be 'legally compliant and proportionate'. This conclusion follows an internal investigation prompted by three councillors who demanded a special meeting to address widespread concerns.
However, the final decision now rests with a vote. The New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee, comprising nine Liberal Democrats and three Independents, will convene on Thursday at 7pm to determine the junction's fate. Independent councillors have pledged to table an amendment calling for all enforcement at the site to cease immediately.
A Lucrative Source of Council Income
Data obtained via a Freedom of Information request reveals the sheer scale of the fines. Between January and August last year, 6,568 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued to drivers caught in the box junction, translating to roughly £451,405 or £2,000 per day.
The junction, made up of two yellow boxes, has been a consistent revenue generator. Annual figures show:
- 2021/22: 10,288 fines
- 2022/23: 8,888 fines
- 2023/24: 8,758 fines
- 2024/25: 7,359 fines
The standard fine for stopping in the box is £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days. According to analysis by The Times, Kingston Council has taken more from individual box junctions than any other UK authority since 2022, netting £3.6 million from just eight locations.
Residents and Experts Condemn 'Unfair' Trap
Critics argue the junction is fundamentally flawed. Independent Councillor James Giles, who helped trigger the review, stated: 'The box is simply unfair, due to the number of people that get trapped in it. This is purely for the council to make a quick buck off unsuspecting motorists.'
Local butcher Roland Head, whose shop has stood beside the junction for 42 years, echoed the sentiment, describing it unequivocally as a 'cash cow'. He added, 'The local government isn't going to change anything because it's making them money.'
Traffic law expert Phillip Morgan contends the junction may actually break regulations by being 'too big'. He argues the law states a box must cover two or more roads, and this one extends beyond them. Mr Morgan has even purposefully received tickets to successfully appeal them and challenge the setup.
The RAC has weighed in, with senior policy officer Rod Dennis warning that a high volume of fines should 'send alarm bells ringing in council offices'. He emphasised that boxes must be 'fairly set up so that drivers don't find themselves stranded through no fault of their own' and should not be used as a 'revenue-raising opportunity'.
Despite the furore, council officers have recommended no changes to the junction layout. They propose maintaining the status quo while improving transparency by providing separate enforcement data for each box in the future. All income from such fines is legally required to be ring-fenced for specific uses, including highways maintenance.
The outcome of Thursday's vote will decide whether this lucrative enforcement continues unabated or is halted in response to community pressure.
