New Enforcement Cameras Proposed for Traffic Congestion Hotspot

Published on: 10 Apr, 2022
Updated on: 14 Apr, 2022

One of the “yellow boxes” on the Dennis Roundabout which motorists should only enter if their exit is clear. Google Street View.

By Martin Giles

Traffic enforcement cameras will be installed at the Dennis Roundabout in Guildford, pending the result of a public consultation, Surrey County Council has announced.

The SCC Cabinet has agreed that it can now apply to the Department for Transport (DfT) for powers to introduce cameras to address offences such as making prohibited turns, driving through a “no entry” area or stopping on a yellow box marking. These powers are currently used in London and have now been offered to the rest of England.

It is hoped that the cameras can be introduced on some of Surrey’s busiest roads to reduce congestion and improve safety.

Map sowing the location of the Dennis Roundabout. Google Maps.

The first locations identified for potential enforcement are at the Dennis Roundabout in Guildford a busy intersection with the A3, aimed at preventing stopping in the two yellow-box junctions and keeping the traffic flowing.

A SCC spokesperson said: “When vehicles stop on the yellow box, they can block the junction for traffic moving from other directions which can increase congestion and associated vehicle emissions.”

The new cameras would film motorists and the system, utilising automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) would send a penalty charge notice if traffic restrictions are contravened. But for the first six months after installation drivers will only receive a warning letter for a first offence to help drivers get used to the changes.

A six-week consultation is running until 13 May 2022 to seek views about the use of traffic enforcement cameras at the Dennis Roundabout yellow box locations. The consultation survey along with more information is available here: Traffic camera enforcement consultation – Dennis Roundabout, Guildford – Surrey County Council – Citizen Space (surreysays.co.uk).

Cllr Matt Furniss

Cabinet member for Transport and Infrastructure, Matt Furniss (Con, Shalford) said: “We’re investing £200 million in our highways to keep Surrey’s roads moving, reduce congestion and keep our road users safe.

“Moving traffic enforcement powers can help us to achieve this by deterring drivers from committing offences which can create potential dangers for both pedestrians and other road users, as well as causing congestion and interrupting traffic flow.

“We’ll be consulting with local residents and highway users about all potential locations before any cameras are installed. Please do get involved by submitting your feedback on this first proposal of its kind for Surrey.”

Responses to New Enforcement Cameras Proposed for Traffic Congestion Hotspot

Valerie Thompson Reply

April 10, 2022 at 6:03 pm

It might be possible to avoid crossing into the Dennis Roundabout yellow boxes if they were freshly painted and one could actually see where they are.
Sue Warner Reply

April 10, 2022 at 7:33 pm

The main cause of congestion is those stupid lights at the top of the slip road onto the A3 – totally pointless.

Yellow boxes are difficult as you can’t anticipate whether there is space on the other side for you or not.

Drivers in Guildford are so impatient that if you try and wait to see your exit is clear they are honking their horns and flashing you or making dangerous manoeuvres to get around you.
Martin Elliott Reply

April 11, 2022 at 10:56 am

It’s interesting that this simple rewrite of a SCC announcement, misses the point of the revenue generation with the usual smokescreen of congestion and safety.
Where are the papers from SCC and Guildford Joint Committee to show the level of improvements expected here, based on years of similar schemes in Transport for London? Has box junction enforcement actually reduced congestion and accidents, or just plateaued after a couple of years?
Then, as with the similar bus lane extensions and cameras in Guildford, have SCC, GJC, and GBC actually guessed on the level of revenue generated and who will receive it?
Perhaps the first call will be for SCC to actually maintain the box junction lines across all of Surrey, unlike the photo in this article.