Derby drivers face £70 fines as new yellow box camera goes live on busy route
Crackdown at Osmaston Road and Ascot Drive junction near Spider Island begins September 21, with warning notices issued for the first six months
Drivers have been warned they face potential hefty fines for bad driving on a busy Derby route.
The warning has been issued by leading city councillor Sarah Chambers who told followers on social media that a crackdown was starting at the junction between Osmaston Road and Ascot Drive – near Spider Island.
Derby City Council is looking to clamp down on motorists stopping on the large yellow box at the junction point – and a new camera has been put up to monitor behaviour and curb bad driving.
Cllr Chambers has warned anyone caught stopping or waiting within the yellow markings will be in risk of receiving a £70 fine through the post.
The fine could be reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.
But the city council says caught drivers would be given a warning notice for the first six months.
According to the RAC, the purpose of the yellow box is to “ensure vehicles do not enter an intersection unless they can clear it completely”.
Cllr Chambers, who represents the Sinfin and Osmaston ward, says enforcement at the spot will come into force from Monday (September 21).
An image shared by the councillor appears to show work has been taking place around the junction in recent days.
It will be the second yellow box enforcement camera in Derby adding to the one located in the city centre – which has been dubbed a “cash cow” camera.
Cllr Chambers told her Facebook followers: “The yellow box junction at Osmaston Road, junction with Ascot Drive, regularly sees vehicles stopping or
waiting within the box markings.
“This severely impacts traffic flow and can cause significant delays. More importantly, keeping this junction clear could save a life.
“We have seen situations where congestion and vehicles blocking the junction have delayed fire engines and police responding to emergencies, where every second and minute can make a critical difference.”
A spokesperson for Derby City Council added: “As a result of our observations, we redesigned the box to make it fairer for motorists and repainted the yellow box markings, but it was considered necessary to install a camera due to drivers stopping in the yellow box causing congestion.
“Enforcement will begin week commencing September 21 keeping traffic moving on this key route by preventing the junction from becoming blocked.
“Any vehicle seen contravening the restriction will be issued with a Warning Notice for the first six months meaning drivers have the opportunity to change their behaviour without a financial penalty.”
The other Yellow Box junction in Derby where the council has taken enforcement action is at St Alkmunds Way close to the junction with Cathedral Road.
The enforcement camera has seen thousands of drivers caught out – earning the council more than £130,000 in income – as reported in July.
The council said it took action after it had “clear evidence of ambulances being delayed” due to vehicles “blocking the junction”.