South London Driver Phillip Morgan Sues Kingston Over £450k Yellow Box Fines

Key Points

• Phillip Morgan, aged 72 from Claygate, plans to take legal action against Kingston Council over the enforcement of two yellow box junctions on Kingston Road in New Malden, South London.
• These yellow boxes, located at the junctions with Elm Road and Westbury Road, generated more than £450,000 in fines within eight months.
• The junctions were installed in 2015 but only began camera enforcement in 2020.
• Drivers receive an automatic fine of £160 for stopping in the yellow box when the exit is not clear (unless waiting to turn right), reducible to £80 if paid within 14 days.
• Mr Morgan and other drivers have raised concerns for years, labelling the boxes a “cash cow” due to their layout extending well beyond the actual junctions.
• Motorists claim they get trapped unfairly, leading to fines despite not blocking traffic intentionally.
• The yellow boxes are described as controversial, with repeated complaints about their design and aggressive enforcement.

New Malden (South London News) February 4, 2026 – A frustrated driver from South London has announced plans to pursue legal action against Kingston Council regarding two contentious yellow box junctions on Kingston Road in New Malden, which have amassed over £450,000 in fines in just eight months.

These junctions, positioned adjacent to each other at the intersections with Elm Road and Westbury Road, have long been a source of irritation for local motorists. Phillip Morgan, a 72-year-old resident of Claygate, is leading the charge, demanding that the council either scrap or significantly shorten the yellow boxes. He contends that their excessive size traps drivers unfairly, turning what should be a traffic management tool into a revenue-generating mechanism.

What Are Yellow Box Junctions and How Do They Operate?

Yellow box junctions, marked by yellow grid lines on the road, are designed to prevent vehicles from stopping and blocking the junction when their exit is not clear. According to standard UK Highway Code rules, drivers must not enter the box unless they can exit it without stopping, except when turning right. As detailed in the original reporting by MyLondon, fines are issued automatically via cameras if these rules are breached.

The penalty stands at £160, but councils offer a 50% discount to £80 if paid within 14 days. In this case, Kingston Council’s enforcement since 2020 has proven highly lucrative, raking in £450,000 over eight months from these specific sites. This figure underscores the scale of fines, with drivers from across South London caught in the net.

Why Is Phillip Morgan Taking Legal Action?

Phillip Morgan has voiced years of frustration over the layout of these yellow boxes. As reported by MyLondon, he described them as a “cash cow”, arguing that they extend well beyond the actual junctions themselves. This design flaw, he claims, causes motorists to enter the boxes inadvertently, only to find themselves trapped by oncoming traffic or pedestrians.

Mr Morgan, who resides in Claygate near New Malden, is not alone in his concerns. He joins a chorus of drivers who have repeatedly contacted Kingston Council and local representatives about the issue. “Motorists get trapped in the yellow boxes and are unfairly fined,” the MyLondon article quotes drivers as saying, highlighting a pattern of complaints dating back several years.

His planned legal action seeks to challenge the proportionality and fairness of the enforcement. Mr Morgan wants the council to review and amend the junctions, potentially reducing their size to align better with standard guidelines.

When Were These Yellow Boxes Installed and Enforced?

The yellow boxes on Kingston Road were first installed in 2015 as part of broader traffic management efforts in New Malden. However, camera enforcement—a key factor in the surge of fines—did not commence until 2020. This five-year gap allowed drivers to familiarise themselves with the layout without the threat of automated penalties.

Since activation, the cameras have been relentless. The £450,000 collected in eight months translates to thousands of individual fines, averaging hundreds per day across the two sites. Kingston Council has not publicly responded to Mr Morgan’s specific threat of legal action in the available coverage, but the revenue suggests a robust defence of the system.

Where Exactly Are the Controversial Junctions Located?

The junctions in question sit on Kingston Road in New Malden, a busy thoroughfare in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, South London. One is at the junction with Elm Road, and the other with Westbury Road, positioned next to each other. This proximity exacerbates the problem, as queues from one can spill into the other, trapping vehicles.

New Malden is a vibrant area known for its high street and residential communities, but Kingston Road sees heavy commuter and shopper traffic. The extension of the yellow boxes “well beyond the junctions themselves”, as noted by complainants, means they encroach into approach lanes, catching drivers off guard.

How Have Drivers Been Affected by the Fines?

Drivers report feeling ambushed by the setup. Entering the box to maintain flow, they suddenly face blocked exits due to the oversized markings, leading to unavoidable stops. The £160 fine hits hard, especially for locals navigating familiar routes daily.

The discount to £80 incentivises quick payment, but many contest the Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) through formal representations to the council. Success rates remain unclear, but the volume of fines indicates few challenges succeed. Mr Morgan’s long-term advocacy positions him as a representative for those silenced by the cost.

What Is Kingston Council’s Stance on the Complaints?

Kingston Council, responsible for traffic enforcement in the borough, has faced scrutiny over these yellow boxes. While the MyLondon coverage does not quote a direct response from council officials to Mr Morgan’s legal threat, the persistence of the cameras implies confidence in their legality.

Councils nationwide defend yellow box enforcement as essential for preventing congestion. In New Malden, the £450,000 windfall likely funds other highways initiatives, though critics like Mr Morgan argue it prioritises revenue over fairness. No plans to scrap or shorten the boxes have been announced.

Who Is Phillip Morgan and Why Has He Been Campaigning?

Phillip Morgan, 72, hails from Claygate, a neighbouring area to New Malden. For years, he has raised alarms about the junctions, contacting councillors and the council directly. His persistence stems from personal experiences and observations of fellow drivers suffering the same fate.

As a local driver, Mr Morgan embodies the everyday commuter impacted by what he sees as overreach. “Phillip, of Claygate, is among drivers who have repeatedly raised concerns,” MyLondon reports, crediting his role in amplifying the story.

Are There Similar Controversies Elsewhere in London?

Yellow box junctions have sparked disputes across London. MyLondon has covered related issues, such as broader concerns over South London yellow boxes. Comparable “cash cow” claims surface in areas like Wandsworth and Lambeth, where camera enforcement yields millions annually.

Motorists’ groups, including the RAC and AA, frequently advise on avoiding fines, noting design flaws in some installations. Mr Morgan’s case could set a precedent if pursued through judicial review.

What Happens Next in This Legal Battle?

Mr Morgan’s legal action remains in planning stages, with no court date set. He seeks judicial intervention to deem the enforcement unlawful or disproportionate. Kingston Council may counter with engineering reports justifying the layout.

Campaigners urge others to join appeals, potentially escalating to a group action. Outcomes could influence yellow box policies borough-wide.

Why Do These Junctions Generate So Much Revenue?

The £450,000 in eight months equates to roughly £56,250 monthly, highlighting the junctions’ efficiency. High traffic volumes on Kingston Road, combined with the dual sites, maximise captures. Enforcement since 2020 has optimised this, with cameras operating 24/7.

Critics question if revenue, not safety, drives retention. Councils must ring-fence fines for transport, but transparency varies.

How Can Drivers Avoid Yellow Box Fines?

• Judge the exit before entering.
• Only proceed if clear.
• Allow space for right turns.
• Contest unfair PCNs promptly.

Despite advice, New Malden’s design challenges even cautious drivers.

What Broader Implications Does This Hold for UK Drivers?

This saga reflects national tensions over traffic enforcement. With councils fined £130 on average per PCN (after discounts and appeals), incentives exist. Mr Morgan’s challenge tests TfL and DfT guidelines on box dimensions.