Hundreds fined as drivers swamp Bury streets without permits during Parklife and Catfish concert

Monday, 16 June 2025 13:15

By David Murphy

It has been revealed that Bury Council issued 456 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) over one busy weekend, as music fans attending the Parklife Festival and a Catfish and the Bottlemen concert parked illegally in residential areas.

The fines were handed out on:

Friday: 142 PCNs during the Catfish and the Bottlemen concert
Saturday: 172 PCNs during Parklife Festival
Sunday: 142 PCNs during Parklife Festival

All PCNs were issued for contraventions on Bury Council managed land, particularly in residential streets and restricted zones around Heaton Park. Enforcement specifically targeted vehicles parked where temporary restrictions were in place.

Although Heaton Park itself is managed by Manchester City Council, the surrounding residential areas, including Sheepfoot Lane, fall under Bury Council’s jurisdiction. These neighbourhoods face significant parking pressure during major events.

To manage the influx, Bury Council issued over 23,000 residential permit passes to local homes ahead of the weekend. Despite this, hundreds of motorists ignored the restrictions and were fined.

This year, residents with additional vehicles, visitors, or lost permits were not issued extra passes. Instead, proof of address, such as a bill or letter, displayed in the windscreen was accepted for additional vehicles.

The current PCN fees are either £50 or £70, depending on the severity of the parking offence. These are reduced to £25 or £35 if paid within 14 days.

If none of the 456 PCNs are paid within the early discount window, Bury Council could potentially generate between £22,800 and £31,920 in revenue. A mid-range estimate, assuming half of the fines were paid at the full rate, puts the total at approximately £27,360.

Events like Parklife frequently generate complaints from residents about blocked driveways, litter, and noise. At the time of publication, Bury Council would not be able to confirm how much income was ultimately collected or whether enforcement practices would be reviewed.

Read our exclusive article here on how the council, and the Parklife Community Impact Team support residents over the weekend, https://www.rochvalleyradio.com/news/local-news/heaton-parks-hidden-heroes-show-how-one-team-makes-big-events-work-for-residents/