Manchester Council Cancels Parking Tickets Given to Homeless Outreach Volunteers

Manchester Parking Tickets Cancelled After Homeless Support Group Backlash

Manchester Parking Tickets Given to Homeless Outreach Volunteers Cancelled Parking tickets issued to volunteers supporting homeless people in Manchester city centre have been cancelled by the council following a backlash over the enforcement action. The vehicles belonged to Don't Walk Past, a volunteer-run community group that provides food and clothing to rough sleepers across Manchester several nights a week. The group had been holding a special event in St Peter's Square on August 7, featuring free food, haircuts, clothes, drinks, an ice cream bar and other support services. Volunteers said they needed to bring cars and vans to the location because of the equipment and hot food involved, arguing that parking further away and transporting everything on foot would not have been practical. According to the group, its vehicles had previously been allowed to park during similar events. Founder Ronnie Hillyard said the group had not received a parking fine in eight years and believed an unofficial arrangement had existed with the council. However, the group said 10 vehicles were ticketed during the August event, with the fines totalling more than £500. The parking enforcement action prompted the group to raise concerns about how volunteers could continue providing support if they could not bring their vehicles close to the event. The Manchester Evening News reported that Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell contacted the council on behalf of the group after the fines were issued. The council has now confirmed that the tickets issued to the 10 vehicles have been cancelled. Blundell described the cancellation as a “fantastic casework win”. However, Manchester City Council had previously said the vehicles were parked in a “clearly inappropriate” location. It said St Peter's Square is a busy pedestrianised public space where vehicles and parking are prohibited unless permission has been granted. The council also cited accessibility and security considerations and said vehicles observed parking in the square without permission would be ticketed, regardless of their intentions. The case highlights the importance of checking parking permissions before taking vehicles into pedestrianised areas, even when there is a practical reason for needing access. For drivers visiting Manchester city centre for events, volunteering or other activities, checking where vehicles can legally stop or park in advance can help avoid unexpected parking tickets. EveryonesParking can help drivers plan parking before heading into busy UK locations, making it easier to identify suitable parking options before arriving. For the Don't Walk Past volunteers, the immediate issue has now been resolved after Manchester City Council cancelled the tickets. The council has not issued a further statement about the cancellation.