WARBURTON Toll Bridge bosses say backdated fines on motorists are “proportionate and fair” after a local councillor raised the issue.
It follows calls from Lymm South Cllr Graham Gowland for an urgent independent investigation into Warburton Toll Bridge fines amid a growing number of complaints from residents across Warrington and Trafford.
Residents have reported receiving Unpaid Toll Charge Notices several months after using the bridge, with some cases dating back to December 2025. Many say they were unaware of any issue at the time and only discovered a problem when multiple charges arrived together weeks or months later.
Concerns raised include:
Delayed notices issued three to four months after crossings
Reported failures with auto top-up and payment systems
Users not being notified when accounts ran out of credit
Cases where residents believed they were fully compliant but still received penalties
Concerns about signage clarity during the early stages of the bridge opening
Cllr Gowland said: “The number of residents contacting me suggests this is not a handful of isolated cases, but a wider systemic issue.
“People are telling me they set up accounts, believed payments were being taken, and acted in good faith—yet are now receiving fines months later without any opportunity to resolve issues at the time they occurred.
“That raises serious questions about fairness, communication, and whether the system is operating as intended.”
The Warburton Toll Bridge operates under the Transport Act 2000, which requires enforcement processes to be reasonable, proportionate, and transparent.
Cllr. Gowland has formally raised the issue with Warrington Borough Council and is seeking further clarity from the operator, ultimately managed by the Peel Group.
He is now calling for:
A full independent review of the tolling and enforcement system
A pause on backdated enforcement for December 2025 to March 2026 cases
Clear evidence of system reliability and communication procedures
A review of how payment failures and exemptions are handled
Fair consideration for residents who acted in good faith compliance
Cllr Gowland added: “If people are only being told months later that there was a problem, they have been denied any realistic chance to put things right. That is not a fair or proportionate system.
“This needs a proper review to ensure residents are being treated fairly and consistently.”
Residents who believe they have been affected are encouraged to check their accounts carefully, retain any evidence, and submit appeals where appropriate.
Meanwhile, Cllr Gowland will continue gathering examples from residents to assess the full scale of the issue and support calls for a formal investigation.
A spokesperson for the Manchester Ship Canal Company said: “This is a significant modernisation of the bridge operation and an adjustment for users. The approach we are taking on enforcement is proportionate and fair as it balances the responsibility we have to drivers who have paid the tolls, or those who have only had minor missed payments.”
