Kent County Council is urging the public to give their views on the proposals
Drivers could be more at risk of landing a fine at 12 locations around the county as Kent County Council (KCC) has shared plans to clamp down on moving traffic offences.
The council is seeking views from the public on their proposals to enforce such offences using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at key hotspot sites.
This includes in Dartford and at major junctions in Canterbury, Maidstone, Dover and Margate, the full list of which can be found below.
Two of the primary consultation sites for the ANPR cameras are Junctions 1a and 1b of the A282 in Dartford, found approximately 1.3 km and 3.2 km south of the Dartford Tunnel and the Queen Elizabeth Bridge respectively.
KCC plans to install such cameras overlooking the six yellow boxes at the junction gyratories (four at J1a and two at J1b) to deter drivers from stopping in them illegally.
The council reports that these boxes are regularly blocked by drivers, adding that this prevents queues from clearing, causes gridlock to form and disrupts bus punctuality along this busy public transport route.
Meanwhile, the remaining cameras would be installed at ten additional yellow box junctions around the county.
Back when yellow boxes were first introduced, Kent Police implemented targeted enforcement and high-visibility patrols at these locations, but due to limited resources, officers now must prioritise activities that directly reduce serious injuries and fatalities, which does not include yellow boxes.
As such, enforcement of these junctions by KCC using ANPR cameras has been considered an appropriate and effective alternative supported by both Kent Police and National Highways.
If the proposal should prove successful, the aim is for the cameras to be installed at the selected sites ready to begin enforcement in spring 2026.
At the new camera locations, there will be a six month warning notice period where drivers will be issued a written warning prior to any fines for a first time offence. If an offence is committed again during this period, you will be issued a penalty charge notice (PCN).
All moving traffic violations are charged at £70, reduced by 50 per cent to £35 when repaid within 21 days of it being served. Payments of a PCN can be made through the Kent County Council website here.
Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “When drivers block yellow box junctions, it causes congestion and delays across local roads, disrupting daily journeys. We want to hear your views on our proposal to introduce camera enforcement at these junctions.
“Your feedback will help us make informed decisions that improve traffic flow and reduce delays for everyone.” The council is keen to hear from residents, businesses, and road users on these plans.
KCC’s public consultation on the proposals began on Tuesday, December 9 and is running for a total eight weeks ending on Tuesday, February 3. You can take part in the consultation and share your thoughts here.
ANPR enforcement consultation site locations
- Dartford – Junctions 1a and 1b of the A282
- Ashford – At the junction of North Street and Somerset Road
- Canterbury – On Wincheap heading westbound towards Thanington Road
- Dover – At the junction of Maison Dieu Road, Park Street and Godwyne Road
- Maidstone – At the junction of College Road, Mill Street and Knightrider Street
- Maidstone – At the junction of High Street, Fairmeadow and Bishops Way
- Maidstone – On the A229 Loose Road by Plains Avenue
- Maidstone – From the A274 Sutton Road and A229 Loose Road heading towards Sheals Crescent
- Maidstone – At the junction of Bearsted Road and the Eclipse Park
- Maidstone – Going southbound on Fairmeadow from Earl Street
- Thanet – At the junction on the A254 Marine Terrace and Marine Gardens with Eaton Road in Margate
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