As a careful driver, I was shocked received a penalty notice charge 13th October this year.

It is for entering a box junction whilst turning left from a side road, Armfield Crescent onto London Road, Mitcham, just by the library.

When this box was initially installed it was a welcomed relief to the local community as trying to pull out of Armoury Crescent can prove to be extremely challenging at the best of times during the rush hour periods of the day. I have spoken to many local residents, coincidentally a large number of them have also received parking tickets for the same action, and they all feel the same way.

The purpose for the box junction is to prevent congestion and grid lock, if you actually come in the morning to armoury crescent (between 8.15 and 8.30 when I begin school run and start my journey to work), you will invariably see that the build up of traffic tails back on to St. Marks road from Armoury crescent, therefore creating a standstill and additional car park - a problem that did not exist prior to the installation of the yellow box.

Furthermore I then went to the Civic Centre to view the footage of my car and requested a copy of the footage, which has been refused. I appealed the penalty notice on the following grounds:

- I pulled out of the side road safely, taking reasonable care to ensure that oncoming traffic was not impacted.

-The road ahead was free and I drove slowly to enter the free lane and avoid the car in the outside lane, again no impact on traffic in front or behind.

-By pulling out I was indeed keeping traffic flowing by giving the vehicle behind me an opportunity to turn right on to main road whilst yellow box was free

The appeal was rejected. This is very unreasonable and unnecessary charge on motorists in our community, who struggle hard to meet the cost of everyday living as decent law abiding and hard working citizens.

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