A junction in Surrey generated the largest revenue in fines from drivers who entered yellow box junctions illegally in England last year, new research has found.

Motorists who enter these boxes, which are designed to ensure smooth traffic flow, risk a fine unless their exit is clear or they are waiting to turn right.

Statistics obtained by the RAC found that 4,250 penalty notices (PCNS) were issued for the Dennis Roundabout in Guildford - costing drivers a total of £81,445.

The figures show that drivers across the country were fined £998,640 during this period, with Medway Council in Kent raising £145,162 from 4,433 PCNs - the second highest amount by any local authority, after Manchester.

The RAC says these statistics, obtained through Freedom of Information requests, should "send alarm bells ringing in council offices".

Senior policy officer Rod Dennis said councils should not use yellow boxes as a "revenue-raising opportunity".

"It's vital box junctions are used in the correct places and are only as big as absolutely necessary," he said.

"They must be fairly set up so that drivers don't find themselves stranded through no fault of their own."

Legislation introduced in May 2022 has enabled all councils across England to apply for enforcement powers.

The close to £1m recouped last year came from 36 yellow box junctions where fines were enforced, outside London and Cardiff.

A total of 32,748 PCNs were issued last year, an amount described as "enormously high" by the RAC.

A spokesperson for Surrey County Council said: "There are two yellow boxes on the [Dennis] roundabout.

"Prior to applying for moving traffic enforcement powers, we carried out a preliminary survey of these yellow boxes, which found that there were potentially about 3,000 contraventions a week on each of them.

"This reflected how congested the roundabout is due to the high levels of non-compliance with the yellow boxes."

Alex Paterson, Medway Council's portfolio holder for community safety, highways and enforcement, said box junctions are not about "catching people out".

He added: "Road markings at these locations have been updated to ensure nobody could reasonably claim not to have seen them, and we have even issued warning notices instead of fines for first-time offences during a six-month grace period."