Parking FAQs
How do I pay a Penalty Charge Notice?
You can make a payment by:
- Cheque or postal order made payable to
Rochdale MBC and sent to Rochdale Borough Council, Fashion Corner,
57/59 Drake Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XL.
- Credit or debit card
- Telephone 01706 926169.
- Call our automated payment line 01706 926180 24 hours a
day.
- Use the Internet www.Rochdale.gov.uk
- Cash payments ONLY can be made in person at
The Bus Station Office, Level 2, Multi Storey Car Park, Smith
Street, Rochdale.
Can I pay in instalments?
If you pay within 14 days, you get a 50% discounted
rate, so it would not be in your best interest to enter into a
payment plan at this stage.
Can I pay in installments once the discounted period has
ended?
We will consider a payment plan if you can show that
you get means tested benefit.
Can I pay at the discounted rate to stop the charge progressing
and then still appeal?
No, once you have payed, you accept liability and the case
is closed.
I thought I could park in a loading bay for the allowed time of
20 minutes?
Loading areas are there to let delivery vehicles to operate
without holding up traffic. We do not limit the time you may
spend in a loading bay as long as you are constantly loading or
unloading.
What is meant by loading and unloading?
The term loading and unloading is strictly reserved for large,
bulky articles which can't be physically carried a great distance.
Depositing cash or shopping, does not count as loading or
unloading.
I did not park on the double yellow lines. I parked on the
footpath behind them.
A yellow line restriction runs from the centre of the road to
the end of the carriageway or highway. This is usually the building
or property line although it is not always the case.
Why do I have to pay for parking?
Parking fees pay towards maintaining the car park. The different
costs and time limits help to make sure that there is an adequate
turnover of parking spaces to allow customers to ‘stop and
shop’.
My meeting or doctor's appointment over ran.
It is your own responsibility to make sure you buy
enough parking time to cover the time of your stay. If you think
you might go over the paid for parking time you could use the
bus station multi storey car park which is 'pay on foot'.
This means you pay when you return to your vehicle.
I was only just over the bay markings when I parked. Do I still
have to pay?
Bay markings are there to ensure safety and prevent
inconvenience to other users of the car park. When vehicles are
parked over the bay markings valuable parking space is lost and
also access could be restricted for emergency vehicles.
I am new to the area and did not know about the
restriction.
It is your responsibility to make sure you know what
the parking restrictions are before you park your vehicle.
My blue badge fell to the floor when I closed the car
door.
When blue badges are not displayed and sent to us later, it
leaves the scheme open to abuse. Please make sure that all badge
holders display their badges correctly. Because we are trying
to reduce blue badge abuse it is unlikely that we will
cancel a notice issued for this reason.
I was not the driver, am I still liable?
Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, the registered owner or
keeper of the vehicle is liable for any Penalty Charge Notices
unless there is a signed hire agreement in place or the vehicle has
been taken without consent. In these cases a we need a police crime
reference number.
I sold the vehicle but do not know the name and address of who
I sold it to.
When you sell or dispose of a vehicle you have a legal
obligation to inform
DVLA
. We need
written confirmation from
DVLA
that you were
not the registered owner or keeper of the vehicle at the time the
contravention occurred if we are to redirect the notice. If you
don't provide this information you may be liable for the
charge.
What happens if I ignore the Penalty Charge Notice?
Please do not ignore. The notice could end up being registered
as a civil debt at the county court. If this
happens bailiff action could be taken.
Where does the money from civil parking enforcement go?
The law says that civil parking enforcement must be
self-financing. If we have extra money after we take off the cost
of administration and enforcement is used for improving local
transport. This includes parking, traffic management, better public
transport and facilities for pedestrians or cyclists.
Where can I get copies of the legislation?
The procedures for issuing Penalty Charge Notices are contained
in the Traffic
Management Act 2004
How do I appeal a Penalty Charge Notice?
All appeals must be made in writing. See our parking tickets page.
How do I report a problematic parking area?
Contact us and tell us what the problem is and where and
when it happens.