Thanks both - the rear passenger wheel is just about on the edge of the box and the other wheel is obscured. If I'd taken the corner slightly more sharply I think that wheel would have missed the box. So I agree it's petty, but is that an argument that tends to hold any weight with TFL..?
MrChips, can't recall how much space there was in front of me. I suspect I was aware of the yellow box so probably tried to go fairly close behind the white van. There seems to be quote a lot of space in front of the van though, not sure why they stopped where they did (although admit is a bit difficult to tell)