A concerned councillor has warned that drivers are being caught in a “penalty trap” at the Warburton Toll Bridge after it emerged that around 138,000 penalty toll notices have been issued since the new system came into operation.
Cllr Graham Gowland (Lymm South), who has been collecting evidence from residents, said he was “horrified” by the scale of fines being issued – potentially worth between £4 million and £14 million.
It follows figures obtained from Michael Wheeler MP that to date, from 23rd December, 138,000 fines have been issued. Just 92% of crossings manage a successful passage without a PCN.
“When you are issuing roughly one penalty notice for every ten crossings, it raises serious questions about whether this system is fair or working as intended,” said Cllr. Gowland.
Over recent weeks, the councillor says he has been contacted by a large number of residents and visitors who report very similar experiences.
Many describe receiving multiple fines months after using the bridge, often with no indication at the time that anything was wrong.
One commuter, Lewis, received 18 penalty notices totalling over £500 after using the bridge regularly for work.
He said: “I continued to cross in the genuine belief I was compliant. Watching months of penalties build up without any warning is not proportionate — it’s the opposite.”
Others say the system itself made it impossible to pay or realise there was an issue.
David, a Lymm resident with an active account, said: “The system failed behind the scenes and I had no idea anything was wrong. By the time I found out, the fines had already built up.”
Another resident, Lee, described what he called a “catch-22” situation.
“The system shows nothing to pay — then the fine gets issued later and paid automatically, which blocks any appeal. By the time I’m told, it’s already too late.”
Some motorists say they were fined even though they had paid.
One resident said: “I paid the toll and still got fined. In the end I just paid the penalty because I couldn’t deal with the stress any longer.”
Others have questioned why they are being charged again for the crossing itself.
“I accept I paid late, but how can they charge me again for the toll when I’ve already paid it?” said another driver.
There are also concerns about the impact on vulnerable people.
Julie, who has been struggling financially, said receiving a £101 charge had caused her significant anxiety.
“I am behind with my bills and this is totally stressful. I don’t know what to do,” she said.
Visitors unfamiliar with the area have also been caught out.
Rhoda, who travelled from Scotland, said she did not even realise she had used a toll bridge until notices arrived weeks later, one already escalated.
“There appears to be no way of speaking to a human being. I now face debt collection over something I didn’t even know existed,” she said.
Residents have also raised concerns about exemptions not being properly applied.
Kate and Grahame, both in their late seventies, say they continue to receive fines despite having a Blue Badge exemption.
“We’ve sent proof again and again, but the notices keep coming. It’s causing us real anxiety,” they said.
Cllr Gowland said many residents are now questioning whether the system is being run fairly. “I am increasingly hearing from residents who feel these penalties are being treated as a revenue stream rather than a last resort,” he said.
“When fines are issued months later, in batches, to people who had no chance to correct an issue, it’s completely understandable why people feel that way.”
The issue has now been raised with MPs across the region, with calls for a pause on backdated enforcement while the system is reviewed.
Cllr Gowland added: “This is not just about money — it’s about fairness. People are trying to do the right thing, but the system is failing them. It needs to be fixed.”
He is continuing to gather evidence from affected residents and is urging anyone experiencing issues with the toll bridge system to get in touch, and to raise the issues with their own MP’s.
The Manchester Ship Canal Company have been approached for comment.
