Hello all,
Firstly, I would like to apologise for not consulting yourselves earlier - I have only just become aware of this forum!
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My route to Hadlow Walk, where the ticket was issued, consisted of making a left turn from Rochdale Road onto Collyhurst Street before crossing Oldham Road onto Varley Street. Following Varley Street, I made a left turn onto Sandal Street followed by a right turn onto Stracey Street before reaching Hadlow Walk (location:https://maps.app.goo.gl/bzfMaJWKvJ3w9QVU9).
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Prior to parking, I confirmed there was no signage, road markings or visible permits on Hadlow Walk, Sabden Close, Stracey Street or Sandal Street to indicate parking restrictions on Hadlow Walk. I captured images of the lack of signage/permits on the night.
After receiving the issued PCN and reviewing the ‘evidence’ attached, I discovered a photo of a sign taken at 21:06, 10 minutes after the images of the vehicle were captured, depicting a sign stating parking restrictions. I am still unsure as to where this specific sign is located, as I assumed it was a street lamp in the left hand side of the frame but upon closer inspection looks more like guttering perhaps?
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Upon retracing my route, I found a sign located on the corner by the entrance to Wardle Street - roughly a 220 metre distance from Hadlow Walk. Crucially, the orientation of the sign did not make it clearly visible when travelling down Varley Street toward the left turn onto Sandal Street. In fact, the small sign visible to the road when travelling down Varley Street states ‘Permit parking area ENDS’.
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Perhaps in error, I made an informal appeal that was predictably refused which consisted of:
I am challenging the above Penalty Charge Notice issued to my vehicle for the alleged reason of being ‘parked in a residents or shared use parking place without clearly displaying either a permit or voucher or pay and display ticket issued for that place’.
I wish to challenge it as the alleged contravention did not occur for the reason that all signage needs to be clearly visible and to a prescribed criteria so motorists can make an informed decision. If a sign is obscured and unclear, or simply not present, it cannot be said that the road was adequately signed. I therefore cannot be found guilty of the alleged contravention.
There was no obvious signage or markings whatsoever on the roads in the immediate area (Hadlow Walk, Stracey Street, Sandal Street) to indicate any parking restrictions, nor were any surrounding cars displaying permits or tickets. I have evidence to support this.
I look forward to receiving confirmation that the ticket has been cancelled within 28 days.
The response consisted of:
Thank you for your enquiry, which we received on 23 June 2025.You were issued with a PCN for parking in a resident permit zone without displaying a resident's permit or holding a valid E-Permit. I have noted the comments you have made. However, signs are in place at entry points into the zone which advise drivers of the restrictions in place. As these restrictions are standardised within the zone, additional signs are not needed. The way we sign the restrictions is compliant with the current legislation. I have carefully considered your case and I am satisfied that your PCN was issued correctly, and as such, I have taken the decision not to cancel it.
I am extremely reluctant to pay the £35 PCN (regardless of the financial hit of paying £70) on the principle that I feel this is an easy cash grab by the council preying on unsuspecting motorists not from the area - not to mention the arrogant response to the challenge. It is particularly frustrating considering the route into Manchester is littered with no entry streets, bus lanes and speed traps that you have to be extremely alert to notice!
I feel I took due care when parking, carefully inspecting the surrounding area for signage and permits - even to the extent of ensuring I wasn't inconveniencing residents by parking near/next to any property entrances, driveways etc. It is impossible to be aware of 'E-permits' as they obviously cannot be displayed nor a sign some 220m away facing away from the road you enter on.
Please advise also in regards to the technicality of the PCN itself, as the contravention code 12 issued makes no mention of virtual permits or the like whereas the response to the informal challenge states 'or holding a valid E-Permit.'
Please let me know any advice whatsoever in terms of where I go from here. Thank you all in advance.
As I am unfamiliar with the technicalities of this forum, I did not want to go over the 4 attachment per post limit so please let me know if any further photos/info is necessary!
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