3. Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings
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Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings
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Hi,

I received a letter from Bolton Council stating a notice had been served on me for the offence of parking in a taxi rank. No offence code was given, just simply 'Parked on a taxi rank'

Apparently I was previously served with a PCN stating that the fine would have a 50% discount if paid within 14 days, but I never received this letter, so it seems that the full charge of £70 is due within 28 days. I have queried the fact I didn't receive the first letter with Bolton Council but I have yet to receive a reply.

The street itself (Churchgate - outside Ye Olde Man & Scythe pub) has a layby off the main street, but there are no marked bays, either in white or yellow, nor is there any solid white/yellow line along the kerb or the wording 'TAXI' painted on the road either. There are several small signs stating Loading Only between 6am - 7.30pm (in white)and No Waiting between 7.30pm - 6am except taxis (in yellow) above the white sign. The time of the alleged offence was 20:07.

The Google street view URL is:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LZ2wJ5zwwBjfK5s59

I was parked approximately where the white van is, in front of the police car.

PCN notice (with name and address redacted) can be found at:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/q75sQ3p7tAJyQ73T8

This is the first page, any other pages are available on request.

Do I have any grounds to appeal this, considering total lack of any road markings?
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Re: Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings
« Reply #1 on: »
You're in a Restricted Parking Zone, with signs at the entrance to it. Such zone require no yellow lines, and are designed to avois the need for signs and lines and to make the place look better. Are you a stranger to Bolton ? There are repeater signs, and you have to look out for them. If something appears to good to be true, then it is too good to be true !
Here are the applicable signs near where your parked: -
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gt6hzfi9g9TRUyMF6
Sign on the left with the arrow indicates taxi parking only.

Here are the entry signs on Silverwell Street: -
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gt6hzfi9g9TRUyMF6
so what route did you take to get to where you parked ?
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Re: Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings
« Reply #2 on: »
Quote from: Incandescent on January 09, 2026, 12:17:40 pm
Here are the entry signs on Silverwell Street: -
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gt6hzfi9g9TRUyMF6
so what route did you take to get to where you parked ?
Think you've included the wrong link there - https://maps.app.goo.gl/vbCJfjjpSLP4m4aH8
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Re: Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings
« Reply #3 on: »
Hi Incandescent,

Yes I entered via Silverwell street, as Churchgate is one-way this is the only route.

So I guess the fine stands as it is? Concerning the first letter that I never received, do Bolton Council only have to prove they sent it and it maybe got lost in the post?
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Re: Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings
« Reply #4 on: »
Quote from: DWMB2 on January 09, 2026, 12:24:50 pm
Quote from: Incandescent on January 09, 2026, 12:17:40 pm
Here are the entry signs on Silverwell Street: -
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gt6hzfi9g9TRUyMF6
so what route did you take to get to where you parked ?
Think you've included the wrong link there - https://maps.app.goo.gl/vbCJfjjpSLP4m4aH8
Oh dear, yes, you're right ! I think I meant to post two links, but didn't and forgot I hadn't captured the Silverwell Street view. Anyway the right link is now there. As far as I can see, the zone is just Churchgate. I can't see a robust appeal argument, I'm afraid.
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Re: Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings
« Reply #5 on: »
Hi Incandescent,

No problem, thanks for your time anyway.
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Re: Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings
« Reply #6 on: »
You would have been served with a windscreen PCN initially. Are there ant pics online?

You can make polite reps asking to settle at discount saying you didn't find a PCN on your car.

Restricted parking zones are often used in towns to reduce unsightly parking sign/line clutter. Here the entry sign puts you on notice that it's a 24/7 no waiting/loading zone except in signed bays, which in RPZs are often just a change of road surface, but must be signed.
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Re: Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings
« Reply #7 on: »
The restricted zone entry sign is not prescribed as the lower panel contains the word ”taxis”. See Part 4 in the regs where there is no mention of the word”taxis”. Also, the small yellow sign near to where you parked is not prescribed for use in a restricted zone since it also contains the word”taxis”. See Part 3 item 4 in the regs where “taxis” is not a permitted variant.

In summary, your challenge is

There was nothing about the feature of the carriageway, whether by marked lines or a change in surface colour/texture to bring to my attention that the location was a taxi rank and after researching it has come to my attention that the “taxis” element on the lower panel of the restricted zone entry sign is not prescribed under Schedule 5, Part 4 of the TSRGD 2016 and that the use of the word “taxis” on the upright yellow sign near to where I parked, is not prescribed under Schedule 4, Part 3 Item 4. Therefore the Council has placed unlawful signage. Had the Council followed the law and signed the taxi rank in accordance with the TSRGD 2016 the contravention could have been avoided. The statutory guidance issued by the secretary of state instructs the following:

"Authorities should not issue PCNs when traffic signs or road markings are incorrect, missing or not in accordance with the TRO. These circumstances may make the order unenforceable. If a representation against a PCN shows that a traffic sign or road marking was defective, the authority should accept the representation because the adjudicator is likely to uphold any appeal."
Therefore, as I have demonstrated the taxi rank signage is not prescribed and correct, I trust the Council will have regard to the guidance as it is duty bound to do and cancel the penalty charge.

Furthermore, the contravention description of “Parked on a taxi rank” is no longer prescribed. The correct wording in the circumstances relating to this PCN is “waiting on a taxi rank” as prescribed by the statutory guidance issued by the secretary of state under Annex B: Contravention codes for civil parking enforcement, England-wide. By failing to adhere to the guidance the Council has once again shown disregard and committed a procedural impropriety requiring the penalty to be cancelled.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2026, 09:30:22 pm by Phantomcrusader »
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Re: Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings
« Reply #8 on: »
@stamfordman,

There was definitely no windscreen PCN, the first I heard was from the letter dated 06/01/2026. There were pics online via https://bolton.zatappeal.com which I was able to view on Wednesday 07/012026, but now when I put the PCN number and VIN in, I get "Unfortunately you are unable to appeal this charge at this time", strange.

@Phantomcrusader,

Many thanks for that, it's an option I could try if I manage to get back on to the Bolton Council appeals website. I'll check on Monday.
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Re: Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings
« Reply #9 on: »
In my experience no Council will ever hold their hands up and admit they got something wrong.You have to bear in mind that the people who read your appeal are just pen pushers and not very knowledgeable. For example. They cannot even get the contravention description correct. It should read as "waiting on a taxi rank" for code 45. See the Govt guidance they are obliged to follow. "Parking on a taxi rank" is outdated and no longer the correct wording.This is another angle and I've added it to what I previously wrote. If I am wrong in my posts, others on here would say so.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2026, 09:24:50 pm by Phantomcrusader »
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Re: Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings
« Reply #10 on: »
Quote from: SteveinBolton on January 09, 2026, 04:42:52 pm

Many thanks for that, it's an option I could try if I manage to get back on to the Bolton Council appeals website. I'll check on Monday.
If the website does not currently let you make formal representations, take screen shots of this failure because it may be another nail in their coffin.
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  3. Bolton, parked on a taxi rank, Churchgate, no white or yellow line markings