Red Route Camera Makes GBP1 Million a Year

The dreaded, hated and at times trashed speed cameras are a gold mine for British authorities, who raise quite a hefty sum of money from the drivers they catch on tape. One camera in particular, of a different nature though, proved to be much more productive.

Located at a junction in Battersea, London, this camera makes GBP1 million a year ($1.58 million, EUR1.13 million). But not by issuing speeding tickets.

The camera has been deployed to fine anyone who stops in the junction for more than 5 seconds. Because of the heavy traffic in the area, that means it fines pretty much all motorists who pass and stop in front of it. That's around 2,000 of them a month, fined with up to GBP60 ($94, EUR67).

The problem has been a nightmare for London motorists until last week, when one motorist appealed the fine and won on the grounds that she had no way to avoid stopping because of the pedestrians ahead.

A spokesman of Transport for London told the Telegraph that the camera is there to stay. Even so, those who feel they have been affected by it can make an appeal.

"If anyone believes they have been issued with a Penalty Charge Notice unfairly or if there are mitigating circumstances they can appeal to TfL or to the independent Parking and Traffic Appeals Service," he said.

As some of you know, London operates so called red-routes, stretches of road on which stopping is not allowed for any reason. The Battersea junction is part of such a red route.