'Yellow Box Guru’ criticises plans for 10 new traffic enforcement cameras across Northampton

Sam Wright, who helps motorists challenge yellow box penalties up and down the country, said there was ‘no evidence’ that yellow box enforcement improves safety or congestion.

He was speaking after West Northamptonshire Council proposed the new cameras following a consultation which received 419 responses.

The proposed locations include yellow box cameras outside Northampton General Hospital, at St Peter’s Way and Weston Wharf, Harborough Road and Mere Way.

Mr Wright said: “As usual they put forward the normal reasons for it of safety and congestion. But most authorities say that.

“But the fact is that after more than 20 years of yellow box enforcement in London and there's no evidence that enforcement of them improves safety or congestion.

“So there really are baseless claims. If they have any special evidence that says otherwise then they should provide that.”

Mr Wright has submitted his own Freedom of Information request to WNC asking for evidence supporting the claims.

He has also submitted one to the Department for Transport.

He said: “I issued to the Department for Transport as well because when they enacted this legislation they are the ones who gave the powers to all of the authorities.

“They did it on the basis that it's going to improve congestion. And I did an FOI to them.”

He has also raised concerns about the design of some of the proposed yellow boxes in Northampton.

He said: “A couple of the boxes are on the far side of the junctions which is against government guidance and provides no traffic benefit.

“So there's one outside of the fire station and there's one outside of Wootton Hall Park junction.

“I've won many adjudication cases in London where they've adjudicated and said it doesn't comply with government guidance.”

He continued: “There's one outside the hospital which from Street View looks like it extends quite far beyond the junction.

“Under statutory government guidance they do have a duty to review the layouts prior to enforcement. I mean I haven't seen any evidence that they've done that.”

The guru said he would be willing to look at the proposed sites himself but doubts WNC would take him up on the offer.

He said: “If they were confident about these sites they would ask me to review them.

“And if I gave my rubber stamp then drivers would be confident that they are good.”

The consultation which took place in December 2025 received 419 responses.

Mr Wright said: “It's definitely lip service. They're going ahead with it anyway to raise revenue. They're just using that as an excuse to rubber stamp it.”

Cameras have already been installed at some locations months before the proposals have been formally decided.

The camera at Upton Valley Way East was installed in April, while one on Weedon Road was installed recently.

Mr Wright said: “I'm quite disappointed as well because this is Reform, isn't it? And they just seem to be carrying on the same agenda as all the other parties. They don't seem to be doing anything different.”

The new cameras are due to be considered by WNC's Reform-led cabinet on September 15. Councillors can vote to reject the scheme.

Mr Wright said he expects motorists to contact him if they receive penalties.

He said: “I already had quite a few for their existing ones in Northampton.

“I mean I'd rather these boxes were designed properly in the first place, you know. Rather than me having to deal with people getting appeals.

“It's all just a big hassle for everybody. But yeah, of course people are welcome to get in touch with me.”

Mr Wright previously helped a motorist successfully appeal a penalty issued at the yellow box outside WNC's One Angel Square offices. However, the original appeal was later overturned following a review by another adjudicator.

He said: “I won the appeal, but then another adjudicator overturned it. They backtracked and they said that it wasn't, although they called it a gyratory before, they then backtracked and said, ‘Oh, actually, it's not a gyratory. I mean, I don't agree with that but I would have to take it to the High Court to challenge it.”

Mr Wright added: “Somebody would have to take that to the High Court to challenge it.

“I'm not an expert on that area. There are initial costs to do that, but what happens quite often is that authorities threaten people with their legal costs if they lose.

“So it starts to get very complicated. And it's not something your average layperson can do.”

The proposals already have the support of cabinet member for highways and transport, Reform councillor Richard Butler.

In a statement, Councillor Butler said: “People expect our roads to be safe and to work properly.

“When drivers ignore restrictions, it can cause congestion, delay emergency services and put other road users at risk.

“We have carefully reviewed each of these locations and focused on the places where enforcement will make the biggest difference.

“We will take a fair and balanced approach, starting with warning notices so drivers have time to adjust.

“This is about improving behaviour and keeping traffic moving, and our current enforcement does suggest most drivers are responding positively.”