Author Topic: 2 PCN tickets issued by 2 different councils (Trafford and Salford) for the 1 offence  (Read 907 times)

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I came back to my car a few days ago to find 2 separate PCN's attached to my windscreen.
One issued by Trafford Council at 8.35pm and the other by Salford Council at 9.40pm.
Both were for the same offence of Code 46 'Stopped where prohibited on a red route or a clearway'

I was parked on Trafford Road bridge A5063 , see below:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7jA2QJZa4kiKNAXa7

It turns out that this bridge is the border between the 2 Councils, exactly where on the bridge I'm not sure! I was parked more on the south side of the bridge.

Regardless of the offence, where do I stand with this in terms of both Council's issuing PCN's for this one offence? Could I use this to my advantage in terms of challenging BOTH tickets?

Also the Trafford PCN has my car make incorrectly printed as Cupra rather than Seat - is this a grounds for challenging?

On the below image, I was parked on the left , my car half on the pavement where the blue railings end.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1HSgSq8PQLtQB7hA6

I'm wondering if the above can possibly get the PCN cancelled before we even consider the Clearway offence.

Thanks in advance for any help


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For meaningful advice we need to see both PCNs  so please help by having a read of
https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/read-this-first-before-posting-your-case!-this-section-is-for-council-tfl-dartme/

and post up here
(use
ibb.co or https://imgpile.com/
for posting images.
Wherever possible, use the BBCode.)
both sides of each PCN (don't redact anything - leave everything in),
and
any council photos,

Well, here's a Clearway sign as one drives south to the bridge.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PFm5akNfJs7HdPdV6

Just thinking that maybe your car was straddling the council boundary. I see an expansion joint on the carriageway right by where the blue railings meet the wall.

Looking on GSV where you parked, I am quite astonished that you thought you could park there and get away with it. This is a very busy road leading to one of the busiest roundabouts in Manchester !
« Last Edit: December 10, 2025, 10:12:03 am by Incandescent »

According to several  maps the boundary is the centre line of the river.  The CEOs of both councils should be aware of the boundary lines of the authority.  It appears Salford CEO disagreed with Trafford CEO regarding the boundary

Here's the front and rear of both PCNs.
Notice the car details (make & colour)on the Salford one are correct but incorrect on the Trafford one. Does this affect the validity of the Trafford ticket?

Trafford PCN:

https://ibb.co/WvQzrkNQ
https://ibb.co/vxGkSGGB


Salford PCN:

https://ibb.co/9Hhkf4jn
https://ibb.co/3Y1WRSRW


Make of car and colour are not mandatory content on a PCN, so no mileage there, I'm afraid. Have you yet looked at the two council's evidence, (photos) ?

Regarding me missing the Clearway sign - I've used this stretch of road to park off and on for Man United games (don't hold it against me) previously and it seems that they've changed it to a Clearway since I last parked there.....approx a year ago. So due to over familiarity with the road , I've not looked for or seen the change or new signage. I'm guessing that's no defence though?

 I parked displaying a blue badge in case it makes a difference.

I will get the PCN photos posted up.

BB is irrelevant I'm afraid, but nothing to stop you referring to it in your reps.

It looks like this clearway is fairly recent because the clearway sign doesn't appear in the 2024 GSV view:-
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hn1n2gKqHCna2ZKu6
whereas it does in 2025
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kauwdGXPsCLhwfz77
so you could also mention this in your reps, but your main point is to point out is the two PCNs for the same contravention.

BB is irrelevant I'm afraid, but nothing to stop you referring to it in your reps.

It looks like this clearway is fairly recent because the clearway sign doesn't appear in the 2024 GSV view:-
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hn1n2gKqHCna2ZKu6
whereas it does in 2025
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kauwdGXPsCLhwfz77
so you could also mention this in your reps, but your main point is to point out is the two PCNs for the same contravention.

Just to add that the Trafford photos show you on the south side of the bridge, straddling the expansion joint, so clearly in Trafford, not Salford. You need to submit reps to Salford stating that you have received a PCN for the same contravention from Trafford, and the photos show you on the south side of the bridge, therefore the PCN is void because it is outside the boundary of Salford

Trafford Photo's


https://ibb.co/bjd1cfCp

https://ibb.co/8nXH76MQ

https://ibb.co/1f2CgZwV

https://ibb.co/R4BFTCXN

https://ibb.co/rGPpyH5s


I've not posted the Salford PCN photos as it looks like I can get that cancelled due to it being
issued incorrectly as I wasn't parked in their area.

So what's the consensus and previous experience on here regarding a road changing
restrictions and signage.

If there's a road you've used for years and suddenly it changes signage, as in my case,
and you're not looking for any changes then where do you stand?
I know strictly speaking I've parked incorrectly and committed an offence but
morally speaking I don't think I have, due to not looking for a change in restrictions.
It was dark and the only notification of the new Clearway was the one sign I passed
as shown in picture 5. Doesn't a Clearway have to have red double lines?

Now if I parked there again following this , then I have no defence.

I've also just noticed that the light over the Clearway sign on picture 5 isn't illuminated.

Sorry, but none of the points you have made about signs are valid. Motorists are under a duty to look out for and obey traffic signs. The sign is clear, and in a well lit area. Clearways don't need to have red lines, just signs at regular intervals.

HOwever, with just this one sign, I think the council could be considered to not have put in adequate signage to indicate the restriction. This is a very busy, indeed heavily trafficked road with two lanes each way over the bridge, so it would be very easy to miss this one sign, especially with HGV and bus traffic, and there is nothing on the road like double red lines to show there is a restriction.

So I suggest you submit reps on the lines of what you have told us about your regular previous parking here, and not seeing the single sign on the two lane approach over the bridge that tells a motorist it is a Red Route, and make sure you empahsise the absence of red lines which you would expect a Red Route would have. Why call it a Red Route if there is nothing red to indicate No Stopping !

Just to clarify, the side of the road that I parked on is 4 lanes of traffic. The opposite carriageway is on the parallel red bridge and is 2 lanes wide. And you're correct,  it is a very busy stretch of road, especially on matchdays.

All your other points are noted for my reps....thanks.

If you look at the aerial photo there are cars parked on the bridge like you were so that could support that you weren't aware it had changed.

An update regarding this.

I simply emailed both Councils with a 2 liner ,saying I'd received a ticket off each of them for the same offence.
They've been so kind as to cancel their respective tickets without me having to challenge them further as I had been dreading, which is very kind of them  ;D

Thanks to all who offered advice/help.

A Happy PCN free 2026 to all
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