A Lymm Councillor is backing a national petition calling for an independent appeals process for private toll penalties following ongoing issues at the Warburton Toll Bridge.
Cllr Graham Gowland is urging residents across Warrington and Cheshire to sign and share the Parliamentary petition calling for an independent adjudication system for private toll penalties.
The petition, titled “Require independent adjudication for private toll penalties”, seeks to establish a fair and impartial appeals process for motorists who receive penalty charges from privately operated toll crossings.
While concerns about the Warburton Toll Bridge have been raised repeatedly by residents in Lymm and neighbouring communities, Cllr Gowland says the issue extends far beyond a single crossing and affects motorists across the country.
The petition has been accepted by the UK Parliament’s petitions system and is now gathering signatures from members of the public.
As a local councillor, Cllr Gowland has received numerous representations from residents who feel frustrated by the lack of an independent route to challenge toll penalty notices issued by private operators.
Cllr Gowland said:”For months I have heard from residents who feel they have been treated unfairly when dealing with toll penalty notices. Whether people ultimately agree with a penalty or not, there should be confidence that any appeal is considered by a genuinely independent body.
“This isn’t just about the Warburton Toll Bridge. Similar concerns have been raised elsewhere around the country, which is why a national petition is the right approach.
“Most people simply want a fair system. If a motorist believes a penalty has been issued incorrectly, they should have access to an independent adjudicator rather than being left to challenge decisions within a process controlled by the organisation that issued the penalty in the first place.
“I would encourage everyone who believes in transparency, accountability and natural justice to sign the petition and share it as widely as possible. The stronger the public support, the stronger the message sent to Government that the current arrangements need to be reviewed.”
Because Parliamentary petitions must address matters of national policy, it is not possible to raise a petition dealing solely with the Warburton Toll Bridge. The petition instead focuses on creating a national framework for independent adjudication covering private toll penalties more broadly.
Residents wishing to support the campaign can sign the petition online at: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/772136
Cllr Gowland is encouraging local residents, community groups and businesses to share the petition across social media and community networks to help maximise support.
