English: From time to time in Wood Green, observant parkaeologists spot traces of a bygone era.

If you look carefully at these photos you can make out the faded criss-cross pattern of a yellow box junction. It was painted across the King's highway in medieval times to tax passing peasant carts roadway to let buses enter and leave the Arriva garage. As you see it has been replaced by white lines and KEEP CLEAR signs painted on the road.

It's very likely that this yellow box junction was unlawful. Just like the two outside the Arriva Bus Garage in Philip Lane Tottenham N17. Haringey Council claimed the Wood Green box junction complied with the statutory regulations. Even though, like those in Tottenham - it was not at "at the junction of two or more roads", but at the entrance to a privately owned garage.

Do the white 'Keep Clear' signs work without needing cameras, fines and wardens? They seem to. And if they do, was the previous yellow box unnecessary? You'd need to ask Arriva bus drivers.

But hey, the yellow box sure collected enormous leather bags stuffed full of groats from the peasants in their carts vast piles of cash for Haringey's Parking Account.

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§ Google Street View.

§ More Wood Green parkaeology in Gathorne Road.