Driver fined £35 for 15 seconds in a box junction near Elland Road in Leeds rages at penalty
A Leeds driver who was fined £35 for entering a box junction for 15 seconds at a busy junction near a football stadium has hit out at the penalty and warned other drivers of the enforcement.
Nathan Dalton, from Pudsey, was travelling through Beeston Roundabout on March 5 when he stopped his vehicle for 15 seconds within a yellow box junction.
A short time later, Nathan received a penalty notice via Leeds Council for the offence of ‘Entering and stopping in a box junction where prohibited’.
He was issued with a £70 fine – halved if paid within a certain timeframe.
Now Nathan - a hairdresser who runs Lowtown Barbers in Pudsey – has hit out at the fine and warned other motorists travelling through the junction near Elland Road stadium to be extra careful.
“I drive through the junction every single day and this is the first time I have ever been penalised”, Nathan told the Yorkshire Post.
A Leeds City Council spokesperson confirmed enforcement cameras at the junction were switched on in June 2025.
Stopping within the box, even momentarily, can “cause delays for other road users”, a spokesperson for the council said.
However, Nathan told The Yorkshire Post he could not predict movement ahead due to lack of vision through the junction.
"You can’t see through the tunnel to the other side so if the lights go green and there is movement, you can’t predict a red light”, he added.
"I don’t know when the cars ahead are going to stop as I can’t see through the tunnel.”
Nathan has taken the penalty and paid the fine but wanted to warn other drivers of the enforcement.
"It is ridiculous”, he added.
“On the footage sent to me there were also three other drivers in the box.
“The council will have made £140 in fines in 15 seconds.”
The full statement released to The Yorkshire Post by Leeds Council reads: "Yellow box junction markings are in place to keep traffic flowing and to prevent vehicles from obstructing busy junctions.
"As set out in the Highway Code, drivers must not enter a yellow box junction unless their exit is clear.
"This means motorists should only proceed when there is sufficient space on the far side of the junction to allow their vehicle to pass through without stopping. Enforcement at this location has been in place since cameras were switched on Monday 9 June 2025.
"Stopping within a yellow box, even momentarily, can cause delays, obstruction, and safety risks for other road users. For this reason, enforcement takes place to ensure compliance and to help maintain the safe and efficient operation of the road network.
"We therefore ask all drivers to follow the requirements of the Highway Code at all times and to avoid entering a yellow box junction unless they can safely clear it.
"Anyone wishing to challenge a Penalty Charge Notice or seek further information is advised to follow the instructions provided on the notice."