Motorists to face tougher traffic rules near Dartford Crossing and Dover under new proposals

The cameras are currently being considered along Junctions 1a and 1b of the A282 in Dartford and at 10 additional yellow box junctions in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Maidstone, and Thanet.

The council stated the sites have been identified as some of the worst affected by non-compliance and congestion.

The need for tougher enforcement follows reports of drivers blatantly ignoring yellow box junctions, which used to be patrolled by Kent Police.

However, due to limited resources, Kent Police officers have been forced to focus on other operations, resulting in less attention to moving traffic offences.

In the UK, drivers can be fined roughly £70 for stopping in a yellow box junction, but this can increase to as much as £160 in London.

The junctions have helped keep traffic moving across the region by preventing drivers from stopping in the restricted area.

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 has now launched a consultation on the new camera installation, which will run until February 3, 2026, with drivers urged to share their feedback.

The cameras will be used to stop the driving offences such as driving through a "No Entry" sign, turning left or right when instructed not to do so.

The cameras will also be used to prevent drivers from travelling where and when motor vehicles are prohibited and driving on routes that are for buses and taxis only.

The consultation detailed: "The yellow boxes on the junction gyratories (four at J1a and two at J1b) are regularly blocked by drivers illegally stopping in them. Vehicles are not allowed to stop on the yellow markings."

The authority also warned that drivers who breach the junction rules are also breaking Highway Code Rule 174. It states that a driver must not enter a yellow box junction until the exit road or lane is clear.

The rule states: "Box junctions have criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road. You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear.

"However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. At signalled roundabouts, you MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross over it completely without stopping."

The proposals have already been met with criticism from drivers, with one motorist saying people needed "a bit of reprieve from having ways to siphon money out of them at every turn".

They added: "Nine out of 10 times, people stop in these boxes by mistake due to traffic slowing at the last minute or misjudging how much room they have. And do we really need MORE cameras? We are already the most-watched country in the world. Can't help but feel the millions this will cost to implement could be of more use elsewhere."