THURROCK Council's coffers have been boosted by almost £400,000 since the council introduced CCTV cameras covering yellow grid boxes at the M25 junction 31 interchange with the West Thurrock arterial road.

The authority agreed to introduce the controversial cameras in the summer of 2024 and they were installed at a cost approaching half a million pounds, according to figures available at the time.

In defence of its proposition at the time, Thurrock Council said it was taking advantage of recently-introduced government laws that meant it can generate and keep fines for traffic offences.

Installation was backed by then council leader Cllr Andrew Jefferies and borough MP Jackie Doyle-Price.

The installation of the cameras was made without much fuss or publicity, but the junction remains a frequent congestion point when local roads are clogged.

It is difficult to see where the benefits of the scheme are recorded, and incomes from fines are not readily identifiable in council accounting records.

However, after being in receipt of several concerns from motorists that the cameras were making little difference, or possibly not working, Thurrock Nub News sought clarity from the council about what has happened over the past two years. It was also alleged the cameras are simply a 'money-making' scheme.

A statement from the council says: "The cameras are fully functional. Anyone who blocks the junction should expect to receive a penalty charge notice.

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"Since the cameras were installed, 5,644 penalty charge notices have been issued as a result of footage they have captured.

"The idea that traffic enforcement cameras generate 'profit' for local authorities is a misnomer. 

"Section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 requires that any fines are first spent to cover the cost of enforcement with any surplus ringfenced for public transport, road and parking safety and improvement schemes."

A further statement from a council spokesperson added: "I think the factor that is important to keep in mind is the success of enforcement like this is not in the number of fines issued but rather in the desired outcomes, such as traffic not blocking junctions, people parking responsibly and legally etc."

The standard fine accompanying penalty notice is £70, meaning that around £395,050 should have been recouped from offenders - possibly more if the fines were unpaid and later contested and recovered by court action. 

The council has not been able to produce exact figures.