In the first eight months of 2025, a yellow box junction in Kingston upon Thames, located in southwest London, emerged as the most lucrative in Britain, raking in an impressive £450,000 solely from penalty charges. This junction, situated on Kingston Road, issued an average of 27 penalty notices daily, totaling 6,568 fines over the period.
Roland Head, the owner of The Real Butchers shop nearby, highlighted that the yellow box was more of a revenue-generating scheme than a traffic control measure, describing it as a significant source of income for the local government. Observing from his shop, he often witnessed frustrated drivers getting ensnared in the yellow grid, with five instances occurring between 8.35am and 9am on a Wednesday.
Enforced since July 2020, the fines for breaching the yellow box rule stand at £160 within London boroughs, with a reduced penalty of £80 if paid within 14 days. Beyond London, the fine is £70, halved to £35 if settled promptly. These penalties have sparked mixed reactions, with some drivers feeling unfairly targeted, especially when forced to stop due to the actions of others.
The placement of the yellow boxes aims to facilitate traffic flow and prevent blockages at junctions, ensuring the smooth movement of vehicles entering and exiting side roads. The council in Kingston borough defends the necessity of these measures for overall road and pavement safety, mentioning that revenue generated from Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) is allocated towards vital traffic and parking management initiatives, including supporting transport-related programs for the elderly like Freedom Passes.
While the yellow box junction on Kingston Road has gathered substantial revenue, the council refutes claims of it being the highest-earning junction in the UK, arguing that it comprises two boxes rather than one. This ongoing debate surrounds the purpose and impact of such traffic control measures on motorists navigating busy urban roads.
