WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols has written to the Government calling for urgent changes to the toll enforcement system at Warburton Toll Bridge, following mounting complaints from motorists who have been hit with escalating penalties over problems paying the £1 crossing charge.
Ms Nichols has joined MPs from across the House of Commons in writing to the Minister for Roads, calling for a series of changes to what she describes as an unfair and disproportionate system.
The intervention follows continuing concerns since the introduction of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and the revised enforcement arrangements in February 2024.
The MP says hundreds of motorists from across the country have contacted her after experiencing difficulties paying the toll, with relatively minor payment or administrative problems potentially escalating into penalties running into hundreds of pounds.
She stressed that the £1 toll itself was not the issue, but the way in which motorists were pursued for payment and the speed at which penalties could increase.
Six changes proposed
The letter sets out six proposed changes to the current enforcement framework:
– Extend the initial penalty period from 14 to 28 days, giving motorists longer to pay at the lowest penalty rate.
– Calculate the payment period from the date a notice is received, rather than the date of the crossing, so drivers have the full period available to settle an unpaid toll.
– Introduce a maximum time limit for issuing the first penalty notice, preventing motorists from receiving large batches of notices long after their journeys.
– Protect motorists who have made genuine attempts to pay, including where technical or administrative errors may have prevented payment.
– Offer a subscription service for frequent users, allowing regular bridge users to pay through a more convenient arrangement.
– Provide alternatives to online-only payment and appeals, making the system more accessible to people who cannot easily use digital services.
Ms Nichols said she had already raised the problems directly with Peel Ports and Excel Parking, the company responsible for operating the number plate recognition and toll enforcement system.
She said the issue now required further action to ensure the arrangements were fairer and more proportionate.
“I’ll continue pressing for changes on behalf of everyone affected,” she said.
Background: months of complaints over toll fines
Warrington Worldwide has reported extensively on the growing controversy since tolls returned to Warburton Toll Bridge on November 5, 2025, following major upgrade works.
The toll was increased from 12p to £1 each way under legislation introduced to allow the bridge’s owners, Peel Ports, to recover the costs of improvements and introduce automated toll collection. Cash payments were replaced by an online payment system backed by ANPR cameras.
Warrington Worldwide+1
Under the system, motorists must pay by midnight on the day after crossing unless they have an automatic account arrangement in place.
Warrington Worldwide reported in April and May that motorists across Warrington, Trafford and further afield were receiving unpaid toll notices weeks or months after their journeys, with some saying they had believed their accounts were working correctly. Concerns included failed automatic top-ups, unclear signage and multiple penalties arriving together.
The issue prompted protests at the bridge and calls from Lymm South Independent councillor Graham Gowland for an independent investigation and a pause on backdated enforcement.
In June, Warrington Worldwide reported that one commuter had received 18 penalty notices totalling more than £500. Other motorists raised concerns about payment accounts, exemptions and difficulties challenging notices.
Peel Ports subsequently confirmed it was reviewing the system alongside Excel Parking following complaints from motorists and local representatives. The company acknowledged concerns about the appeals process, payment methods and customer experience, while maintaining that its overall assessment did not indicate a systemic failure.
Investigation completed, but concerns remain
In September, Warrington Worldwide reported that Peel Ports had completed its investigation and acknowledged delays in issuing some Unpaid Toll Charge Notices, attributing these to performance issues experienced by Excel Parking.
The operator said work had been undertaken to clear the backlog and that, from September, notices should be issued within five working days of a contravention.
Peel Ports also said the proportion of journeys paid for correctly had increased from 79 per cent in April to 90 per cent in August as users became more familiar with the system. However, Ms Nichols said the changes did not address all the concerns raised by constituents and pledged to continue pressing for fairer treatment.
Her latest letter takes the campaign to the Government, seeking changes to the wider enforcement framework rather than relying solely on the bridge operator’s internal review.
Motorists who have experienced problems with the Warburton Toll Bridge system can contact Charlotte Nichols MP’s office at charlotte.nichols.mp@parliament.uk to share details of their cases.
The MP says she will continue raising concerns on behalf of affected motorists and pressing for a system that is fair, accessible and proportionate.
