THURROCK Council is moving forward to implement plans for CCTV cameras and fines for motorists who break the yellow grid box rules at one of the borough's busiest junctions.

Last year members of the authority gave the green light to taking advantage of new government laws that mean it can generate and keep fines for traffic offences.

In particular it wants to use the legislation to stop drivers blocking the M25 Junction 31 roundabout in West Thurrock.

The new powers mean that the council can fine drivers who block yellow box junctions at the Purfleet Interchange.

Councillors were told blocked junctions can cause significant traffic congestion throughout the Thurrock, as local traffic cannot get through when the M25 is blocked.

Critics of the scheme, including some councillors, believe the scheme is all about generating cash, not traffic efficiency, a claim denied at the time by the Conservative traffic portfolio Cllr Ben Maney. He conceded the amount of fines levied were likely to be 'lucrative'.

Councillor Ben Maney defended the scheme last year.

One of the biggest critics was the Cllr Luke Spillman, chairman of the planning, transport and regeneration overview and scrutiny committee, who said the scheme was about making money and was not fair on drivers.

Now the scheme is set to come into force as the plans have been supported by the new Labour administration.

By law, for the first six months drivers will first receive a warning notice instead of a fine. They will only be fined during this period if they are found to have blocked the yellow box junction again.

Cllr Victoria Holloway, cabinet member for place and the environment says: "These new powers mean that we can take positive action to prevent vehicles from blocking junctions on Junction 31 and can help keep traffic moving in the borough.

"We have introduced this to stop drivers from creating gridlock by blocking box junctions, not to issue fines. That is why for the first six months first time offenders will receive a warning instead of a fine

"All of us have seen how congestion on the M25 can spill over onto our local roads and, at its worst, creates gridlock across the borough, affecting residents and businesses and also increasing pollution levels. Now, we can use these powers to help us to educate drivers and stop them blocking the box junctions that are there to keep local traffic flowing.

"The six month warning period will allow drivers to get used to the changes before they are fined. However, repeat offenders in this period will be fined for second and subsequent offences.

"We want to make sure our roads are clearer, cleaner and safer. We do not want to see the kind of gridlock we have had to endure on our local roads in the past because of traffic issues on the M25."

Enforcement will be done through cameras with automatic number plate reading technology, additional signs at the roundabout will warn drivers that these cameras are in operation.

The cost of implementing the scheme is estimated at £498,000 while the project's annual revenue is projected to be £348,000.

More information can be found on the Thurrock Council website at: thurrock.gov.uk/trafficpcn