Free Traffic Legal Advice

Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: bricemanuk on July 01, 2026, 04:27:40 pm

Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: bricemanuk on August 29, 2026, 12:55:02 am
Can't read your case.You need to set it to 'Public'

Fixed.
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: Incandescent on August 29, 2026, 12:29:32 am
Can't read your case.You need to set it to 'Public'
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: bricemanuk on August 29, 2026, 12:25:25 am
Decision received — appeal dismissed.
It's funny that the adjudicator's reasons didn't address my main argument at all: although I stopped in the box, I didn't have to stop due to stationary vehicles, because there was sufficient space ahead for me to continue moving slowly.
The appeal was a joke, really.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e6-nJCLAa-VlxXSQ97uVZ7lXS4ZoxDGr/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: bricemanuk on July 24, 2026, 12:34:29 pm
I've also got the reply from FOI regarding oversized box which council explained it's swept path. I'm not sure if this would help or not.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AdYYBcw2RYEecDwg5WTZVl5zFou3aGXy/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LsltfmRpbUez85GStzMqkf9WxrscK4BD/view?usp=drive_link
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: bricemanuk on July 24, 2026, 11:20:48 am
I've attached their Authority Summary.

Where?
Yes, let's see what they have said.

Sounds like they've quoted the highway code which, for box junctions, is notoriously an oversimplification of the actual rules.

Please see the link.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b_3R9_g3GoPYZBBPSY_0nMFd0IG-V6kB/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: MrChips on July 24, 2026, 07:17:05 am
Yes, let's see what they have said.

Sounds like they've quoted the highway code which, for box junctions, is notoriously an oversimplification of the actual rules.
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: Neil B on July 24, 2026, 05:35:15 am
I've attached their Authority Summary.

Where?
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: bricemanuk on July 24, 2026, 12:26:29 am
I think it's arguable that no offence committed.

It's only an offence to have to stop due to stationary vehicles. Looks like you are slightly manoeuvring towards the second lane and the vehicle in front of you in that lane doesn't stop moving until 19 seconds into the video.

You start moving at 22 seconds but there's a significant gap between you so you could have started moving again just as the other car comes to a stop and made it through without having to stop again.

Hello again. Thank you for your earlier advice.

I've now received the Council's evidence pack. Rather than addressing the CCTV timing point, they argue that the issue is not the gap to the vehicle ahead but whether there was sufficient space beyond the box to accommodate my vehicle when I entered.

I've attached their Authority Summary. I'd be grateful for your thoughts on whether this changes your previous view of the case.
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: bricemanuk on July 05, 2026, 05:08:34 pm
Thanks, that’s helpful. I raised that point with the Council, but they said the area forms part of the “swept path”. I’ve submitted an EIR request asking for the engineering documents.
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: SITR on July 04, 2026, 10:53:12 pm
The "sweep" for the end of the box is open to interpretation, but the box starts before the kerbing stops & indeed before the actual traffic lights.
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: bricemanuk on July 04, 2026, 10:49:56 pm
Thanks. That’s actually the point I’ve been questioning as well. Trafford Council says the area where I stopped forms part of the “swept path”, but they haven’t provided any engineering evidence to support that. I’ve submitted an EIR request to ask for the design documents.
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: SITR on July 04, 2026, 10:31:49 pm
I'm far from an expert, but isn't the box itself oversized? It extends both before and after the junction of the road to the left. My understanding is that a box that extends beyond the width of the junction is incorrectly marked & therefore unenforceable.
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: bricemanuk on July 04, 2026, 03:22:21 pm
Any other thoughts on this? I’d really appreciate any advice before I take it to Tribunal. Thanks.
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: bricemanuk on July 02, 2026, 12:20:33 pm
Thanks, that's an interesting point. My intention was to avoid blocking the exit once I realised the traffic ahead had slowed. I hadn't looked at it from that angle before. Do you think that's a point an adjudicator would be likely to accept?
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: MrChips on July 01, 2026, 07:30:45 pm
I think it's arguable that no offence committed.

It's only an offence to have to stop due to stationary vehicles. Looks like you are slightly manoeuvring towards the second lane and the vehicle in front of you in that lane doesn't stop moving until 19 seconds into the video.

You start moving at 22 seconds but there's a significant gap between you so you could have started moving again just as the other car comes to a stop and made it through without having to stop again.
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: bricemanuk on July 01, 2026, 07:16:29 pm
The black car in the centre.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VQEBg46U5xxboksz9
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: MrChips on July 01, 2026, 07:03:05 pm
Which is your vehicle? There's a few which get stuck on the box.
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: bricemanuk on July 01, 2026, 06:58:13 pm
Thanks for the prompt reply. Please see the video below.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/srLrN1wFGdVUPqzHA
Title: Re: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: MrChips on July 01, 2026, 04:35:11 pm
Does the council make the video evidence available online? I've not dealt with Trafford council before but I'd expect it to be available assuming they have an online PCN portal you can log into.

We need to see it to check the circumstances - quite often it opens up new angles for your appeal.
Title: Yellow Box PCN
Post by: bricemanuk on July 01, 2026, 04:27:40 pm
Hi all,

I'd appreciate some advice.

I received a yellow box PCN from Trafford Council. My formal representations were rejected.

My main argument is that this yellow box seems much larger than necessary. The position where my car stopped doesn't appear to block the junction or any crossing traffic.

I challenged the extent of the yellow box, and the Council replied saying that the area where my car stopped forms part of the "swept path" for vehicles exiting the junction. However, they haven't provided any engineering evidence to support that and instead told me to submit an FOI request.

I've attached:

Google Maps showing the junction.
The Council's CCTV image showing where my car stopped.
The Council's latest reply mentioning the "swept path".
Do you think I have reasonable grounds to take this to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal? Has anyone dealt with a similar argument about the size or extent of a yellow box?

Thanks in advance.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JzHj5psAHWUwXPsz7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vJzW67k77x21DrUa8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VQEBg46U5xxboksz9