A mysterious activist, known online as Zoë Bread and recognizable by her unusual choice of a bread slice mask in viral TikTok videos, has sparked a review of signage policies by Manchester City Council. This all started after Zoe received a parking fine for purchasing a ticket at the wrong meter on Collier Street in the city center. According to her, the Pay At Machine sign was confusing as it directed to both the private car park and the council one. The council has now committed to exploring the need for additional signage following Zoe’s social media investigation and the exposure of similar stories from other individuals.
In her investigative videos, Zoë Bread documented incidents of drivers receiving parking fines for the same reason she did, claiming that the signage was misleading. She even contacted a council agent who insisted that the signage was not misleading, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. Zoe’s dedication to uncovering the truth about the parking problems on Collier Street led her to file a Freedom of Information request with the council and review official documents regarding the escalating number of fines issued on the street.
Zoë’s videos have gained substantial online attention, including attracting the notice of Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Good, who expressed concern over the confusion caused by signage issues on the street. Good advocates for a more practical approach to parking enforcement, emphasizing the need for clarity and human understanding in these situations. While Manchester City Council maintains that there is clear signage indicating the presence of a private car park on Collier Street, they acknowledge that there has been some confusion among a small number of motorists. As a result, the council is now considering the implementation of additional signage to direct drivers to the correct ticket machine in the future.
Overall, Zoë Bread’s unconventional activism and persistence in shedding light on parking fine discrepancies have prompted a closer examination of signage policies in Manchester, potentially paving the way for clearer and more straightforward parking regulations in the city
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