In a remarkable example of digital activism, a woman known online as Zoë Bread successfully challenged a parking fine in Manchester, leading to a broader review of signage and the cancellation of similar fines.
But Zoë isn’t stopping there.
After winning her case, she’s now campaigning to change the law to make parking signage clear across the UK – and she needs your help.
The power of persistence – and TikTok
Zoë Bread received a penalty for parking on a street in Manchester. She claimed confusing signage led her to purchase a ticket from the wrong machine.
Taking her case to TikTok, Zoë documented her experience, highlighting the misleading signs and sharing stories from other drivers who faced similar issues. Her videos went viral, gaining huge attention and prompting Manchester City Council to acknowledge the problem.
After a month-long campaign, the council agreed that the signage “could be clearer” and decided to quash her fine. They also committed to reviewing other fines issued on the street over the past year.
Zoë’s next move: Change the law
However, one line from Manchester City Council continued to niggle:
“We are satisfied that the street is signed in accordance with legislation.”
The issue? Current regulations only require that the arrow on the sign points in the direction of the machine – nothing about clarity or context for drivers. Zoë’s verdict on the legislation:
“Vague as hell.”
Now she’s launched a UK Government petition to update parking signage regulations so they’re clearer and fairer for everyone. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, Parliament must debate the issue.
To promote the campaign, Zoë even created a short film called Pay At Machine – a tongue-in-cheek take on how confusing current signage can be.
What this means for you
A recent AA survey found that 1 in 20 UK drivers would pay a parking fine they believe is unjustified, often just to avoid the hassle of appealing. But, as Zoë demonstrated, many tickets can be successfully challenged. Understanding your rights could save you time, money, and stress.
Whether you received a fine from the council, the police, or a private parking company, our handy guide explains how to navigate the process.
Join the Claim
At Join the Claim, we actively track group action legal claims – including those against private companies. Keep an eye on our website for emerging claims you might be able to join.
