City centre camera rakes in £130k

The yellow box junction at St Alkmund's Way/Cathedral Road in Derby has seen thousands fined. Image by Google Maps.

A controversial Derby city centre camera – dubbed a “cash cow” by opponents – has raised more than £130,000 for the council, new data has revealed.

Derby City Council officials started enforcement on drivers stopping within the yellow box markings on St Alkmund’s Way near to the junction with Cathedral Road last year.

Enforcement measures began in February 2025 with an ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) camera monitoring incidents and fining those entering and remaining in the yellow box.

Since enforcement began, more than 3,500 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) have been issued to motorists caught out for stopping in the yellow zone – that’s according to a new Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

Drivers can be fined £70 but this is reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.

The FOI states the total figure for the amount of money the council has issued totals £153,438 – this includes paid, cancelled and outstanding fines.

It adds the council has received more than £130,000 in income as of the end of June this year.

Bosses said the yellow box location was in close proximity to an ambulance station and it had “clear evidence of ambulances being delayed” due to vehicles “blocking the junction”.

The Labour-led council stated its reasons for the camera after concerns were raised about it.

Some Derby councillors had previously claimed the camera was a “cash cow” and said they had reports of drivers being fined for slightly entering the box but without blocking the junction.

But the city council said the camera had worked to reduce delays for ambulances in the area.

A Derby City Council spokesperson said: “Since enforcement began, the ambulance service reports fewer delays, demonstrating that continued enforcement is in the public interest.

“This measure was introduced following a thorough public consultation, with all signage fully complying with national regulations.

“Only a small fraction of total traffic contravenes the restriction, showing the vast majority of drivers comply with the Highway Code – keeping the junction clear and safe for everyone.

“Any revenue generated from Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) is legally ring fenced to fund improvements to the city’s highways and transport system.”

Councillor Jonathan Smale, who was critical of the camera last year, said: “I just feel like this has been done to be a money spinner. That sits uneasy – its punishing motorists who will make honest mistakes.

“No driver is 100 per cent perfect – we all make mistakes.”

The camera became a topic of discussion at a full council meeting earlier this year.

Derby’s transport leader refuted that there was a “conspiracy theory” to catch unsuspecting motorists.

Councillor Carmel Swan (Labour) said at the January full council meeting: “I can’t talk about individual cases but I can say there is no conspiracy theory here to trap unsuspected drivers.

“I also cannot be responsible for people who do not follow road signage.”