Council To Review Yellow Box Junctions

After revelations that some were incorrectly marked

An urgent review of all yellow box junctions in Ealing is underway and some motorists caught at an incorrectly marked junction in Greenford are being offered refunds.

Cabinet memner for Transport and Environment Councillor Bassam Mahfouz ordered the independent review, which will look at whether all junctions are marked out correctly, and the Department for Transport will also be asked to work with the council.

Councillor Mahfouz said:

“Nobody is denying that we need yellow boxes to keep traffic moving, but many problems have come to light over recent years. For months residents have been telling me how concerned they are about this issue. Motorists no longer have any confidence in these yellow boxes, which is why my first decision as cabinet member was to launch a review.

“In April there was yet another case where there was a technical problem with a yellow box junction in Greenford. Although enforcement was suspended while the problem was resolved, this can’t go on. I hope we can now draw a double yellow line under this issue and start afresh.

“I have been assured that all junctions now meet the guidance, but if the review reveals any problems at all, enforcement will be immediately suspended while any issues are urgently addressed. I have also been told processes have been improved to prevent problems from reoccurring, but if there are any problems in the future officers will be held to account if mistakes are made.”

The council will now be cancelling any unpaid tickets from the Otter Road/Greenford Road yellow box junction issued for offences before 30 April – the date the council suspended enforcement at the junction. The council will also refund anyone who received a ticket at that junction, but paid it after 30 April.

A local resident has been in touch with us to say how delighted he is to hear this news. His wife was photographed at the junction and they were in the process of appealing.

He says guidelines state that the council have to consult the police before installing a junction with cameras, but they discovered (through a freedom of information request) that this hadn't been done. He describes the announcement as a 'comprehensive victory' for drivers all round.

The council has set up a special email address for anybody who thinks that they may be entitled to a refund - OtterRoadRefunds@ealing.gov.uk or alternatively customers can phone 020 8825 6677.

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June 18, 2010