A parking fine ordeal shared on TikTok by a user named Zoë Bread has resulted in a victory. Zoë Bread, operating under a loaf-inspired alias, started her campaign after receiving a penalty for parking on Collier Street in Manchester. According to Zoë, unclear signs led her to purchase a ticket from the wrong machine. Manchester City Council has now conceded to Zoë’s arguments, with Council leader acknowledging the need for clearer signage and agreeing to overturn certain fines issued on the street within the past year.
Following a month-long campaign that included a challenge to Greater Manchester metro mayor Andy Burnham on BBC Radio Manchester, Zoë Bread emerged victorious. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed frustration at the effort required to be heard, emphasizing that the average person might not have the same resources at their disposal. Zoë attributed her success to persistence and a willingness to be a vocal advocate. The confusion surrounding the ‘Pay At Machine’ sign, which pointed to both a council-run car park and a private one, set off a chain of events that led to Zoë’s scrutiny of fine issuance on Collier Street.
In her quest for justice, Zoë Bread resorted to submitting a Freedom of Information request to the council, only to face rejection. Undeterred, she delved into council documents and uncovered a spike in penalties issued during the inaugural year of the SIP car park’s operation. While opposition councillor Alan Good acknowledged the impact of Zoë’s social media pressure, he stressed that such actions should not be a prerequisite for addressing systemic issues. He called on the council to extend fine cancellations beyond the last 12 months, considering historical trends in fine issuance related to the privately-run car park.
Council leader Bev Craig, who engaged directly with Zoë’s campaign, expressed gratitude for highlighting the parking predicament on Collier Street. Despite asserting that the street’s signs adhered to regulations, Craig committed to implementing changes, including the installation of new signage and relocating the meter. She also pledged to work with the private car park owners to remove conflicting signs contributing to the confusion. As a gesture of goodwill, the council announced plans to nullify outstanding fines on Collier Street, extend a review of fines from the past 12 months, and issue refunds to affected individuals who believed they had made proper parking payments at the time
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