West Northamptonshire Council wins controversial yellow box appeal battle – but Yellow Box Guru vows fight is not over

In February 2024, WNC, under the former Conservative administration, began enforcement of previously installed yellow hatched boxes on the Victoria Gardens gyratory at the junction of St John Street, outside the council’s One Angel Square offices.

Since then, enforcement has continued under the Reform leadership and has seen thousands of motorists caught inside the box by enforcement cameras and subsequently fined £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.

WNC has made at least half a million pounds since it went live, according to a Freedom of Information request.

Sam Wright, better known as the Yellow Box Guru, who helps motorists appeal yellow box junction fines and has amassed a 35,000 following on Facebook, has claimed the council’s yellow box is illegal.

Earlier this month (April), Mr Wright helped a motorist successfully appeal one of the fines issued at the junction. However, WNC requested a review of that decision, and the adjudicator has now ruled in the council’s favour.

Reform councillor Richard Butler, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We requested a review as we felt the original decision was incorrect, and the adjudicator ruled in our favour when it was looked at again.

“The review was carried out independently, based on the legislation and national best practice with the adjudicator also deciding that this junction was not part of a gyratory, as had been Mr Wright’s assertion. We don’t recognise any of the claims being made here.

“We also maintain that when the markings were introduced, they complied with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions in place at the time and have remained lawful ever since. The latest version of those regulations, introduced in 2016, confirmed that enforcement can continue at such sites.”

Despite the reversal, Mr Wright says the motorist is now preparing to challenge the latest ruling.

He said: “The motorist was not given the opportunity to respond and present evidence. She is making a complaint and requesting another review.

“In any case no decision is binding so people can still continue to appeal.”

Mr Wright said he still believes the yellow box should not be enforced and is continuing to support the driver as she contests the latest decision.