Drivers slam 'no left turn' on major roundabout prioritising cyclists as council rakes in £600k in fines

Oxfordshire County Council, which installed the camera, has collected £627,920 in penalties, according to data obtained through a Freedom of Information request.

The roundabout is one of the busiest for cyclists in the UK, with around 12,000 bike journeys every day during university term time.

The camera was installed after councillors warned the rules at the roundabout were being ignored by drivers breaching road safety, but motorists argued it was simply a cash-raising scheme.

One motorist said: "As a driver, the cyclists are not the best thing; they cut you up. There should be a better sign to say you can't turn left. You are looking at the traffic, and you can easily miss the signs."

Another added: "It's highway robbery. The signage is so poor that most strangers miss the no left turn, and there is no indication of how to access the left turn. Shame on the council."

Other drivers, however, believed stricter enforcement was justified because of the dangers caused by the junction.

A 24-year-old student who cycles through the area told The Telegraph: "It's scary to cross, because many times the cars won't allow you to go.

"If you're going into work at 8am, it's horrible because there's so much traffic. Drivers should be fined."

Meanwhile, an older driver also backed cyclist safety but suggested improvements were needed.

She said: "I'm a cyclist, but I do a lot of walking, and I think that cyclists should be protected as much as possible. Maybe a much bigger sign is needed to tell the cars what they can and cannot do."

The penalties were issued using Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology. Drivers who break the rule receive a £70 fine, although this can be reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.

But David Henwood, leader of the Independent Oxford Alliance Group, warned the new road layout was "inconsistent with normal road layouts for roundabouts and junctions".

He said: "This alone confuses many road users. If the scheme is producing fines accumulating to £627,000, then a review is needed. If the scheme has improved road safety, then of course it is welcome – the question remains, is the penalty system needed?"

The safety measures were introduced after a tragic incident in March 2022, which saw a cyclist killed by a lorry at the roundabout. The driver was later jailed for eight years.

But the council insisted the camera was about safety, not revenue. "We would be happy if the camera collected no fines because all drivers observed the rules and no one carried out this dangerous manoeuvre," a spokesman said.

Councillor Andrew Gant added: "This is an extra measure to help improve safety at The Plain for all road users, especially the most vulnerable, such as pedestrians and cyclists.

"This is a very busy roundabout, and the banned left turn is a road safety hazard, which increases the risks for all road users. There was a good deal of support for the installation of a camera to deter this."

Despite that, anger continues to grow among motorists, with many calling for clearer signs and a rethink of the system.