by Henry Clark

Cameras operating at a notorious roundabout have only been enforcing fines for eight days since they were installed more than two years ago.

Two yellow box junctions were put in at the Princes Road Interchange, known as the Blue Star roundabout, in Dartford last year which meant drivers could be fined £50 if they stopped the flow of traffic.

When they were first installed in September 2019, Dartford was the first place outside of the capital to hand out fines for anyone blocking the box.

At the time Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said people were sick and tired of being held up by selfish motorists who sit in the box junctions, adding: "Getting these junctions enforced by cameras has proved to be surprisingly complex in legal terms and has taken a lot of planning with lots of different agencies involved. It seems now the effort has paid off."

But a Freedom of Information request has uncovered the cameras have only been enforcing these regulations for eight days between September 2019 and March 2022.

There were 39 fines issued and only 51% of these were paid.

Kent Police has now told KentOnline the cameras were installed as part of a trial.

Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford council, said residents who were promised that the introduction of the yellow boxes would help to ease traffic problems have been let down.

“We campaign constantly for measures to help ease the traffic problems that blight Dartford whenever the motorway network is congested,” Cllr Kite said.

“When these box junctions were introduced, it was hoped they would keep traffic moving by stopping drivers from blocking the Blue Star Roundabout.

“It’s incredibly frustrating that having made the case for the sort of regulations that were previously only available in Central London, there seems to be some issue with policing the junctions and issuing fines. Frankly, it’s unacceptable.”

Kent Police said the cameras were only used for an initial trial period in conjunction with National Highways for traffic management reasons.

Karen McMillan, head of central processing at Kent Police, said: “Kent Police is committed to preventing deaths and serious injuries on the county’s roads and therefore prioritises enforcement at locations where safety cameras have been installed.

“We remain open to the possibility of further enforcement in the future and encourage all motorists to follow the signs and abide by the rules of the road.”

Dartford is among several towns in the county where there are plans to fine motorists for so-called ‘moving traffic offences’.

Kent County Council is applying for the powers to fine motorists up to £70 for ignoring no entry signs, stopping inside yellow boxes or driving in bus or taxi lanes.

Cllr Kite also called for stronger action to ease traffic in the town, specifically a new crossing between Kent and Essex to ease the burden on the Dartford Tunnel.

“National traffic problems won't be resolved without the construction of an alternative river crossing east of Gravesend,” Cllr Kite said. “But so many of the problems we face locally result from inconsiderate driving blocking the M25 roundabouts.

“Dartford has had enough of suffering because of its proximity to the M25 and a crossing that’s no longer able to cope. We need the new crossing to be built – and fast.”