More than one million penalty charge notices (PCNs) have been issued to motorists for stopping in yellow box junctions across England and Wales since 2023, with councils reporting nearly £58 million in penalty payments.
New research based on Freedom of Information requests has highlighted the scale of enforcement, identifying the local authorities issuing the most penalties and the junctions recording the highest numbers of PCNs. The figures cover the period from 2023 to July 2026.
The figures are particularly relevant to businesses operating cars and commercial vehicles in busy urban areas. Drivers who enter a yellow box without enough space to clear it can face a penalty, even when traffic lights are green.
Fleet operators are therefore being encouraged to reinforce their drivers’ understanding of road markings and junction rules to reduce the risk of avoidable penalties.
London Boroughs And Manchester Account For The Highest Number Of Fines
Research by Cinch, based on Freedom of Information requests submitted to 217 local authorities, identified more than 1,047,472 yellow box junction penalties issued by 37 councils between 2023 and 2026.
The figures show that 347,614 penalties were issued during 2025, equivalent to approximately 953 every day. A further 231,458 had been recorded during the first seven months of 2026.
The ten councils with the highest recorded totals accounted for 736,307 penalties, representing around 70% of the overall figure.
Redbridge recorded the highest number, with 213,122 penalties. Manchester followed with 109,450, while Cardiff recorded 72,547.
The ten highest totals were:
| Local Authority | Penalties Issued |
|---|---|
| Redbridge | 213,122 |
| Manchester | 109,450 |
| Cardiff | 72,547 |
| Bexley | 66,264 |
| Bromley | 62,140 |
| Lewisham | 61,232 |
| Kingston upon Thames | 44,660 |
| Hillingdon | 36,108 |
| Trafford | 35,701 |
| Medway | 35,083 |
The financial figures also demonstrate how much revenue yellow box junction enforcement can generate. Redbridge recorded more than £13.4 million in payments, while Bexley received over £4.8 million and Bromley more than £4.6 million.
However, not every penalty issued has been paid. Outstanding balances included more than £1.1 million in Lewisham, £703,360 in Bexley and £592,345 in Merton.
Manchester Junctions Among The Most Frequently Penalised Locations
Several junctions in Manchester and the surrounding area featured prominently in the list of locations with the highest numbers of penalties during the first seven months of 2026.
Regent Road and Water Street in Manchester recorded the highest total, with 25,130 penalties. New Quay Street and Water Street, also in Manchester, followed with 19,275.
The A5063 and White City Circle junction in Trafford recorded 18,962 penalties, while Watson Street and Bridgewater Street in Manchester accounted for another 7,734.
The ten locations with the highest recorded totals between January and July 2026 were:
| Junction Or Location | Local Authority | Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Regent Road / Water Street | Manchester | 25,130 |
| New Quay Street / Water Street | Manchester | 19,275 |
| A5063 / White City Circle | Trafford | 18,962 |
| Watson Street / Bridgewater Street | Manchester | 7,734 |
| Ilford Lane | Redbridge | 4,126 |
| High Street, Strood | Medway | 4,042 |
| A4138 Pontarddulais Road, Hendy | Carmarthenshire | 3,447 |
| Ring Road / Beeston Interchange | Leeds | 3,421 |
| Deansgate / Great Bridgewater Street / Liverpool Road | Manchester | 3,416 |
| Amersham Hill | Buckinghamshire | 3,403 |
The figures for White City Circle are particularly notable. The junction received 14,102 penalties during 2025, averaging approximately 39 each day. By the end of July 2026, the recorded total had already reached 18,962.
Other locations have also experienced consistently high levels of enforcement. In 2024, Kirkmanshulme Lane and Mount Road in Manchester recorded 17,378 penalties, while Goodmayes Road in Redbridge accounted for 9,774.
Goodmayes Road was also the most heavily penalised location in the 2023 figures, with 12,082 penalties. Redbridge Lane East recorded 7,364, followed by Barley Lane with 6,409.
Some Councils Have Recorded Significant Increases In Enforcement
The research also identified substantial year-on-year increases in the number of yellow box junction penalties issued by certain local authorities.
Hackney recorded 314 penalties in 2024, rising to 8,567 in 2025. This represented an increase of approximately 2,600%.
Buckinghamshire also experienced a significant rise, with penalties increasing from 3,618 in 2024 to 16,120 in 2025, an increase of 346%.
Liverpool recorded a 126% increase over the same period, rising from 3,376 to 7,622 penalties.
Individual junctions have also seen sharp changes. Dennis Road Roundabout in Surrey recorded 9,101 penalties in 2025, compared with 1,557 the previous year. This represented an increase of approximately 485%.
St Johns Street in Northampton saw penalties rise by 59%, from 6,019 to 9,592, while Packhorse Road in Buckinghamshire recorded an 82% increase, from 3,597 to 6,533.
These figures underline why drivers who regularly travel through unfamiliar towns and cities need to pay attention to road layouts and markings. Junctions that appear straightforward can still carry a significant risk of penalties if traffic conditions prevent vehicles from clearing the box.
Businesses responsible for vehicles travelling across different regions can incorporate these risks into their wider fleet management guide.
Thousands Of Motorists Have Challenged Yellow Box Junction Penalties
Receiving a yellow box junction PCN does not necessarily mean that the charge is correct. Motorists can challenge a penalty if they believe it has been issued incorrectly or that the circumstances justify an appeal.
Since 2023, more than 100,000 formal representations have reportedly been submitted to councils, with over 18,000 accepted.
Redbridge received 27,615 challenges and accepted 6,954. Bexley recorded 29,688 representations, accepting 3,554, while Cardiff received 8,328 challenges and accepted 3,582.
Drivers who receive a notice should check the evidence carefully, including any photographs or video footage supplied by the local authority. This can help establish whether the vehicle was actually stopped within the yellow box and whether the circumstances fall within an exemption. Motorists generally have 28 days from the date of the notice to submit formal representations to the issuing council. If the challenge is rejected, they may be able to appeal to an independent adjudicator.
Where a motorist believes the penalty is incorrect, they can make representations to the issuing authority within the applicable deadline. If the council rejects the challenge, the motorist may be able to appeal to an independent adjudicator.
Drivers using leased vehicles should also understand how penalty notices are handled by the registered keeper and leasing provider. CVC’s guide to leased vehicle driver responsibilities explains the responsibilities associated with operating a leased vehicle.
What Are The Rules For Yellow Box Junctions?
Yellow box junctions are designed to prevent vehicles from blocking intersections and obstructing traffic travelling in other directions.
Under Rule 174 of the Highway Code, drivers must not enter a yellow box junction unless their exit road or lane is clear. This applies even when the traffic lights are green. At signalled roundabouts, drivers must also be able to cross the yellow box completely without stopping before entering it.
The main exception is when a driver is turning right and is prevented from completing the manoeuvre by oncoming traffic or other vehicles waiting to turn right. In these circumstances, a vehicle may wait within the yellow box provided it does not obstruct other traffic.
Drivers should therefore avoid entering a box simply because the vehicle in front has moved forward or because the traffic signal is showing green. If congestion means there is insufficient room on the other side, waiting before the yellow markings is the safer option.
Road markings and signs also play an important role in helping drivers understand restrictions and navigate junctions correctly. Businesses looking to improve driver awareness can refer to CVC’s explanation of the UK Traffic Signs Manual.
How Much Is A Yellow Box Junction Fine?
The cost of a yellow box junction penalty depends on where the offence takes place.
In London, the standard penalty for a yellow box junction contravention is £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days. Where the PCN is issued through CCTV enforcement, the discounted payment period is extended to 21 days.
Outside London, penalties are generally either £60 or £70, depending on the local authority. These can usually be reduced to £30 or £35 if paid within 21 days.
Cardiff, for example, has a £70 penalty, reduced to £35 when paid within the applicable discount period.
Drivers should check the amount and payment deadline stated on their individual notice, as the applicable charge and discount period can vary according to the location.
For businesses operating multiple vehicles, penalties can become an additional operating expense, particularly when drivers regularly travel through areas with high levels of enforcement.
Fleet Operators Encouraged To Reinforce Driver Awareness
The research highlights the importance of ensuring employees understand the rules governing road markings, traffic signals and junctions.
For businesses operating cars, vans and other commercial vehicles, a single driver error can result in an unexpected penalty. Repeated incidents across a fleet can create additional costs and administration for transport managers and fleet decision-makers.
A clearly communicated company vehicle policy can help establish expectations around safe driving, compliance with road regulations and responsibility for penalties incurred while using a company vehicle.
Driver education should also cover common road risks, including speeding, distraction, congestion and unfamiliar traffic systems. CVC’s guidance on fleet driver safety, speeding and distracted driving provides further information for businesses looking to improve driving standards.
Employers can also use a structured fleet risk assessment to identify potential hazards associated with business journeys and consider how these risks can be managed.
The National Work-Related Road Safety Charter is another useful resource for organisations seeking to strengthen their approach to workplace road safety.
Transport managers should make sure drivers understand that a green traffic signal does not automatically mean it is safe to enter a yellow box. Allowing sufficient space beyond the junction, checking traffic conditions and avoiding unnecessary pressure to follow the vehicle ahead can all help reduce the likelihood of receiving a penalty.
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