Cardiff Council made about £500,000 from different fines issued in Llandaff over three years. Figures show there’s been a sharp increase in yellow box junction fines
12:53, 08 Apr 2026Updated 14:01, 08 Apr 2026
Cardiff Council made nearly a half a million pounds over the past three years from penalty charge notices in Llandaff(Image: WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)
A council has made nearly half a million pounds from fining drivers over the last three years in one Cardiff suburb that’s seen a sharp rise in yellow box junction penalties. There were 13,944 penalty charge notices issued to drivers near Cardiff Road in Llandaff between 2023 and 2025 for three different offences: no right turns, bus lane misuse, and stopping in a yellow box junction.
The largest increase was in yellow box fines, issued when drivers pause their car on an intersection covered by a yellow box. These rose from 1,896 in 2024 to 3,365 in 2025 — an increase of around 77%.
One Cardiff driver said he had repeatedly been fined at the same junction. Iqbal Hassan, who has lived in Cardiff all his life, said he regularly drives from Canton to Llandaff to take his child to school. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
He claimed he has been fined “countless times”, most recently last month. He said the fines were issued at a yellow box junction on Western Avenue near the traffic lights.
“I now do my shopping in Bridgend because it’s easier not to worry about being fined,” he said.
Mr Hassan said he believed the volume of traffic made it difficult to avoid entering the box.
“The fines started just after Covid, and the signs are not well posted,” he said.
“I’ve paid hundreds in fines and I always appeal. It’s really hard with the cost of living crisis. It feels like they are just going after motorists because they are an easier target.”
The figures were revealed at a Cardiff Council meeting this year in a discussion between Llandaff councillor Sean Driscoll and the Cabinet Member for Waste and Street Scene Services, Cllr Norma Mackie.
Council figures discussed at the meeting referred to enforcement across Llandaff, not at particular junctions.
During the meeting, Cllr Mackie said the total income generated from the fines was “about half a million pounds”.
Cllr Driscoll said he supported enforcement to keep traffic moving but questioned how the revenue was being used locally.
“While I’m grateful that highways enforcement are working to keep the highway clear and traffic and buses moving, there are considerable sums that are raised in Llandaff through fines,” he said.
“I want to ensure that the lion’s share of the money raised in Llandaff is being spent in Llandaff.”
Council figures show that yellow box junction enforcement generated £258,613 over three years, compared with £143,331 from no-right-turn fines and £94,955 from bus lane penalties.
Cllr Driscoll also raised concerns about the removal of free parking across parts of the city.
“The council has removed two-hour free parking in a number of car parks across the city. In Llandaff, the cost to subsidise two-hour free parking is around £30,000,” he said.
“I feel giving local people the opportunity to have two-hour free parking would not only support high street traders, but also give patients the ability to park without having to pay to see their doctor and pick up prescriptions.”
Responding during the meeting, Cllr Mackie said drivers could avoid fines by complying with restrictions.
“Maybe it would be better if they didn’t break the rules,” she said.
A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: “The Council issues Penalty Charge Notices to motorists for a range of moving traffic contraventions, from driving down bus lanes when not authorised to do so, stopping in yellow box junctions incorrectly and enforcing banned turns.
“This is to ensure that the transport network can operate more efficiently and to avoid unnecessary congestion.
“Any surplus income generated from parking charges or moving traffic offences is transferred to a parking reserve account.
“This is then used to support traffic management improvements, public transport enhancements and highway and environmental improvements linked to transport.”
