New cameras confirmed for busy Midlands M5 junction

It comes after councils were invited to apply for new traffic powers

05:09, 11 Aug 2025

New cameras will be put up at a busy West Midlands junction just off the M5 motorway - but they won't be monitoring speed.

More councils are beginning to clamp down on rule breaking at yellow box junctions.

And now BirminghamLive has learned cameras will be going up at the junction near M5 Junction 1 in West Bromwich.

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They will monitor traffic and watch out for any cars stopping on painted yellow box markings, which is not allowed unless waiting to turn right.

Breaching of yellow box regulations can be a big problem, blocking the flow of traffic and causing congestion to build up.

Research suggests many drivers are confused by yellow box rules, and don't know what they are for.

They tend to be in place at busy spots like roundabouts and traffic lights where flows of traffic pass each other.

Sandwell Council named the A41 near Junction 1, not far from West Bromwich Albion's Hawthorns ground, as one of six trial locations for the new powers.

It comes after councils across the country were invited to apply for new powers to punish yellow box junction rule-breakers.

It has been the responsibility of the police but lack of resources mean these areas are rarely monitored.

Sandwell Council told us: "Sandwell Council has been granted Moving Traffic Contravention powers by the DfT for six trial sites.

One of those is the yellow box junction on Junction 1 M5.

"Over the past 20 years, Sandwell[3] has halved the number of casualties on its roads, including reducing child casualties by 67 per cent.

"This big reduction follows a targeted programme of engineering and education measures and supporting police enforcement action, all work which will continue to keep improving road safety.

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"Acquiring these powers will allow Sandwell to continue to be more proactive in improving road safety, air quality, congestion, and network management.

"We are currently in the process of buying the enforcement cameras for the six trial sites.

"Applying for these powers puts Sandwell in line with all other West Midlands councils and in the meantime West Midlands Police[7] still has concurrent powers in relation to enforcing moving traffic contraventions, including yellow boxes."

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References

1. ^ Schools to fine parents from new September term over tough rules (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Get all the latest motoring news sent to your inbox by signing up to our new newsletter here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ Sandwell (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ our WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)
5. ^ click this link (chat.whatsapp.com)
6. ^ CLICK HERE TO JOIN (chat.whatsapp.com)
7. ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
8. ^ Get our local newsletters like Black Country News, MySolihull and MySuttonColdfield straight to your inbox (www.birminghammail.co.uk)