An urgent review of all yellow box junctions in Ealing is underway and some motorists caught at an incorrectly marked junction in Greenford are being offered refunds.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz ordered the independent review, to look at whether all the junctions are marked out correctly.

Councillor Mahfouz said: "Nobody is denying that we need yellow boxes to keep traffic moving, but many problems have come to light over recent years."

"Motorists no longer have any confidence in these yellow boxes, which is why my first decision as cabinet member was to launch a review."

In April there was a "technical problem" with box junction in Greenford and could not therefore be legally enforced.

"I have been assured that all junctions now meet the guidance, but if the review reveals any problems at all, enforcement will be immediately suspended while any issues are urgently addressed."

"I have also been told processes have been improved to prevent problems from reoccurring, but if there are any problems in the future officers will be held to account if mistakes are made.”

Enforcement of the Otter Road Road/Greenford Road yellow box junction in Greenford was suspended in April. The problem was resolved and enforcement was re-restarted on Saturday, 5 June 2010.

The council will now be cancelling any unpaid tickets from the Otter Road/Greenford Road yellow box junction issued for offences before 30 April – the date the council suspended enforcement at the junction.

The council will also refund anyone who received a ticket at that junction, but paid it after 30 April.

Note:The council corrected the markings at the junction after 30 April 2010 and reinstated enforcement in June. Tickets issued at the Otter Road/Greenford Road yellow box junction after Saturday, 5 June 2010 - the date enforcement restarted - are valid.

Anybody who thinks that they may be entitled to a refund should email OtterRoadRefunds@ealing.gov.uk or phone 020 8825 6677

In June 2008, Ealing Council was advised by the Department of Transport that box junctions in 6 locations, 4 of them in Southall, were not legal.

The box Junction in South Road in Southall was removed as it was serving no other purpose than generating a million pound per year for Ealing Council.

The other three box junctions were within a very short distance of this one.