Latest news with #ManchesterCityCouncil
Metro
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Metro
New yellow box fines cost drivers £998,640 last year
Drivers who block yellow boxes at junctions have been handed close to £1million in fines in one year. Councils were allowed to apply for new enforcement powers back in 2022 which lets them fine drivers who block junctions. Before this, only London and Cardiff were able to enforce these rules, but last year there were 36 yellow boxes outside these two cities which were enforced. The Highway Code says drivers must not enter yellow boxes unless they can get through them without stopping. The only exception is if they are waiting to turn right but are blocked by oncoming traffic. But those 36 yellow boxes saw more than 32,000 fines issued for blocking the junction, adding up to almost £1million. The RAC, which obtained the figures through Freedom of Information requests, found that Dennis Roundabout in Guildford, Surrey was the single biggest revenue generator, with 3,618 fines issued which raised just under £140,000. Manchester City Council handed out the equivalent of 36 fines for flouting yellow box rules every day in 2024, while Medway council handed out the equivalent of 13 per day, and Buckinghamshire council 10 per day. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The breakdown cover and car insurance company warns yellow boxes shouldn't be seen as a 'revenue-raising opportunity' – and claimed 98 out of 100 enforceable yellow boxes in London and Cardiff were larger than they needed to be, which could lead to more drivers being caught out. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: 'Very few people set out to deliberately flout the rules and get fined. 'The enormously high number of penalty charge notices being raised in just a few council areas suggests things are awry. '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.' Manchester city council: six yellow boxes enforced, 13,130 fines issued, total revenue £446,706 Medway council: five yellow boxes enforced, 4,433 fines issued, total revenue £145,162 Buckinghamshire county council: four yellow boxes enforced, 3,618 issued, total revenue £139,798 Liverpool city council: four yellow boxes enforced, 3,376 fines issued, total revenue £92,025 Surrey county council: one yellow box enforced, 4,250 fines issued, total revenue £81,445 Reading borough council: eight yellow boxes enforced, 1,638 fines issued, total revenue £40,294 Hampshire county council: one yellow box enforced, 1,105 fines issued, total revenue £31,675 Wokingham council: one yellow box enforced, 651 fines issued, total revenue £19,985 Gloucestershire county council: one yellow box enforced, 30 fines issued, total revenue £945 Leeds city council: two yellow boxes enforced, 50 fines issued, total revenue £605 Penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued by councils for yellow box blocking are generally £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days. Only a very small amount of yellow box fines are appealed against by drivers – the highest proportion of appeals is in Manchester, where 18% appealed. More Trending Alex Paterson from Medway Council said its enforcement of yellow boxes is 'not about catching people out', adding that road markings were updated so 'nobody could reasonably claim not to have seen them'. Buckinghamshire Council deputy leader Thomas Broom said the area suffers from 'a lot of congestion' and the amount of yellow box fines issued 'directly relates to the number of people who commit these traffic offences'. A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said: 'All councils follow guidance to ensure motorists are treated fairly. View More » 'There are processes for appeal if anyone believes they have been unfairly fined.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: More than 80,000 Citroen cars recalled over 'potentially fatal' airbag fault MORE: Nearly 200,000 Ford vehicles recalled over risk of passengers getting trapped MORE: Map shows where Oxford plans UK's first congestion charge in 20 years Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Petition launched to rebuild Hotspur Press 'in its original form' after devastating fire
A petition has been launched calling for Hotspur Press to be rebuilt 'in its original form' following a 'horrific' fire partially destroyed the mill. A blaze ripped through the Victorian building, which fell into dereliction after closing as a printing press in 1996, at 4:30pm on Monday (June 23). The inferno spread to balconies on nearby blocks of flats, and its smoke stopped railway services to and from Oxford Road station. On Wednesday (June 25), the fire service said crews were still dowsing the blaze and confirmed the mill will now need to be partially demolished. READ MORE: Teenager disappears after boarding flight at Manchester Airport READ MORE: The Greater Manchester streets where more people claim PIP than anywhere else Now, a petition has been created calling on Manchester council and developers for it to be rebuilt 'in its original form'. It said: 'We call on Manchester City Council and all relevant developers to commit to rebuilding the Hotspur Press — faithfully and fully — in its original form. 'The recent fire has robbed Manchester of one of its most iconic and historic buildings, a cornerstone of the city's skyline and industrial heritage. Hotspur Press was not just bricks and mortar — it was a living reminder of the city's printing legacy, a symbol of Manchester's character and soul. 'What we don't need is another anonymous block of luxury flats that serve investors over residents. We are tired of seeing our history erased for profit. We demand that what is rebuilt reflects the identity, memory, and voice of the people who actually live here.' The petition also calls for 'a city-wide commitment to protect Manchester's architectural heritage before more of it is lost forever'. Developers Manner had planning permission to retain Hotspur Press' facade and iconic Percy Brothers signage, and build a 36-storey student tower on the site. Despite planning permission being given in May 2024, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands work never started due to delays in a battle to list the building, which was initially rejected and then appealed, and Manner opting to change the cladding material on the tower from brick to bronze. Last night, a Manner spokesperson said the firm was 'truly heartbroken' about the blaze: "Like all of Manchester, it was truly heartbreaking for us to watch the horrific fire spread through The Hotspur Press on Monday. 'Over the last two years we have worked conscientiously to develop a plan for the regeneration of The Hotspur Press that would celebrate its rich history and heritage. We are absolutely devastated to see the extent of the damage that has been caused, and it is incredibly hard to come to terms with what is now left of this important building. "Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected, and we thank the fire crews who have worked tirelessly at the scene to bring the fire under control. 'We are now assisting the emergency services with the investigation to understand the cause of the fire and will continue to liaise closely with Manchester City Council and local residents in this part of the city." On Monday night, as the fire was being fought, council leader Bev Craig said: 'A final thank you to the city's emergency personnel for their ongoing efforts tonight, acting quickly to keep the fire under control and keeping our residents safe." Manner and Manchester council have been contacted for comment.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
UK drivers fined nearly £1million extra after new rule starts
The RAC said the "enormously high number" of penalty charge notices (PCNs) handed out across England outside London and Cardiff last year should "send alarm bells ringing in council offices" Motorists were hit with fines totalling nearly £1 million from just 36 yellow box junctions last year, after local authorities were granted new powers to enforce the rules, according to figures. The RAC, which revealed the data following Freedom of Information (FoI) requests, commented that the "enormously high number" of penalty charge notices (PCNs) should "send alarm bells ringing in council offices". Yellow box junctions are designed to keep traffic moving at busy intersections by ensuring drivers do not enter unless their exit is clear or they are turning right. Previously, only London and Cardiff had the authority to fine drivers for yellow box offences, but new legislation introduced in May 2022 now allows all English councils to apply for these enforcement powers. The RAC's FoI request to English councils uncovered that 36 yellow boxes outside London and Cardiff were enforced over the past year. The enforcement resulted in a staggering 32,748 PCNs being issued, leading to drivers shelling out £998,640. Typically, PCNs carry a £70 fine, which is halved to £35 if paid within 21 days. A breakdown of the figures by the RAC showed that Manchester City Council topped the list for issuing the most PCNs, handing out 13,130 for six junctions, raking in £446,706 – almost half of the total revenue generated from yellow box fines outside London and Cardiff, reports Bristol Live. Kent's Medway Council has come in second, raking in £145,162 after issuing 4,433 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for just five yellow box junctions it monitors. Buckinghamshire Council wasn't far behind, collecting £139,798 from 3,618 fines. However, the single most lucrative spot was Dennis Roundabout in Guildford, Surrey, where drivers were hit with £81,445 in fines from 4,250 PCNs. In stark contrast, Gloucestershire County Council issued a mere 30 yellow box PCNs, totalling £945, and Leeds City Council handed out 50 fines, amassing £605. Appeals against yellow box fines are relatively rare, with Manchester City Council area seeing the highest appeal rate at 18%. RAC's senior policy officer Rod Dennis commented that a yellow box yielding few fines suggests it is "working as it should", which should be the goal for councils rather than viewing them as a "revenue-raising opportunity". He added: "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." Chartered engineer Sam Wright, commissioned by the RAC, scrutinised the 100 most lucrative yellow box junctions in London and Cardiff from 2019. His findings, published in a report last year, revealed that 98 of them were oversized, not fitting their intended purpose of keeping crossing paths clear for traffic. The research indicated that on average, these boxes were 50% larger than necessary. Medway Council's portfolio holder for community safety, highways and enforcement, Alex Paterson, insisted that the council's enforcement is "not about catching people out". He highlighted that road markings have been updated so "nobody could reasonably claim not to have seen them". Deputy leader of Buckinghamshire Council, Thomas Broom, commented on the region's congestion issues, noting that the volume of yellow box fines is "directly relates to the number of people who commit these traffic offences". A representative for the Local Government Association stated: "All councils follow guidance to ensure motorists are treated fairly. There are processes for appeal if anyone believes they have been unfairly fined." Manchester City Council was contacted for a response.
ITV News
2 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Drivers in Manchester fined £450,000 over yellow box junctions
Manchester City Council issued more fines to drivers caught in yellow box junctions than anywhere else in the country, new figures show. The RAC, which obtained the statistics through Freedom of Information (FoI) requests, said the 'enormously high number' of penalty charge notices (PCNs) should 'send alarm bells ringing in council offices'. Analysis shows Manchester City Council issued the most PCNs with 13,130 in relation to six junctions, bringing in £446,706. PCNs are generally £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days. Only a fraction of yellow box fines are appealed against by drivers, with the highest proportion appealed being 18% in the Manchester City Council area. 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. Elsewhere, 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. 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.' A spokesperson for the 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.'
BBC News
2 days 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.
