Box junction internal staff guidance / manual on when to issue PCN
Request ID: FOI-0653-2324 Date published: 23 June 2023
You asked
Please share the latest guidance/manual/instructions that TFL staff use to decide when to issue a PCN for stopping in a box junction related offence in particular how the various exemptions are dealt with (e.g. turning right and blocked by other cars also turning right or duration of stop).
Please also share any training materials or slides that are given to staff in this regard
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0653-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 30th May 2023 asking for information about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued for stopping in a box junction.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act / Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“Please share the latest guidance/manual/instructions that TFL staff use to decide when to issue a PCN for stopping in a box junction related offence in particular how the various exemptions are dealt with (e.g. turning right and blocked by other cars also turning right or duration of stop).
Please also share any training materials or slides that are given to staff in this regard”.
TfL does not hold the requested information, in that there are no “guidance/manual/instructions” or “training materials” given to staff for this function.
As explained in Rule 174 of the Highway Code,box junctions are governed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD), specifically parts 7 and 8 of schedule 9. Exemptions to the ‘no stopping’ rule are set out in section 11 of part 7: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/362/schedule/9/made
TfL operates a network of more than 900 CCTV enforcement cameras across our road network which are used to enforce any type of traffic contravention including parking, bus lane and moving traffic restrictions. TfL may issue a PCN if we have ‘reason to believe’ a vehicle has contravened a traffic restriction on our road network. The use of this CCTV is carried out in line with the Code of Practice published here: https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/download/file/fid/4033
PCNs are issued in accordance with the legislation described above, and staff carry out this function based on their knowledge of that legislation and the Code of Practice. Some of the enforcement cameras that we use are “attended”, meaning a Compliance Officer carries out a manual observation of a vehicle entering a Yellow Box Junction and captures the contravention on camera. Once captured, the incident is then validated by another officer to ensure that the contravention has been captured correctly in accordance with the legislation for the offence. On other occasions, an offence may be captured by an unattended camera, with the camera configured to automatically capture the contravention. This capture is again validated by a Compliance officer to determine correct capture before being exported as a PCN to the customer.
Note that drivers have the right to challenge a PCN if they believe it has been issued incorrectly. This is explained in further detail on the following page of our website:
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
