Waterloo Street parking: Oldham Council issues 273 fines 2026

Key Points

• Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) have been issued by Oldham Council amounting to 273 PCNs in total on Waterloo Street in 2026 by September 1
• Among those 273 fines, 161 have been paid, which translates to a 59 per cent payment rate
• Online videos allege that 125 cars were found parked illegally in the street from 1pm to 8pm in just one day
• Initially, the council reported 252 PCNs issued from January 1, including 44 issued past 5pm
• There are complaints from local residents and traders regarding dangerous parking causing blockage of pavements and streets
• Oldham Council affirms that it continues with enforcement of parking restrictions to ensure safety of roads and streets

Oldham (Manchester Mirror) September 03, 2026 – It has responded to questions about enforcement action on Waterloo Street in Glodwick, where persistent illegal parking has turned the road into what residents describe as a “nightmare” for pedestrians and motorists alike. The local authority has revealed that 273 Penalty Charge Notices have been issued on the street this year, with 161 of those fines paid as of September 1, 2026.

The disclosure comes after videos circulated online showing large numbers of vehicles parked in breach of parking restrictions, with claims that up to 125 cars were spotted parked illegally between 1pm and 8pm during a single evening. The Manchester Evening News visited the road in August and observed multiple vehicles parked on double yellow lines along the entire length of the street, with some cars also parked on grass verges, causing damage to nearby green spaces.

How Many Parking Fines Have Been Issued on Waterloo Street in 2026?

An Oldham Council spokesperson provided updated figures on parking enforcement activity on Waterloo Street. As reported by the Manchester Evening News, the council initially stated that 252 Penalty Charge Notices had been issued on the road since January 1, 2026, including 44 issued after 5pm.

However, following questions from members of the public on social media about how many of these fines had actually been paid, the council provided further detail. As of September 1, 2026, a total of 273 fines had been issued on Waterloo Street during the year. Of these, 161 had been paid, representing approximately 59 per cent of the total penalties issued.

What Do Residents Say About Parking Problems on Waterloo Street?

Local residents and business owners have expressed significant frustration with the parking situation on Waterloo Street, which cuts through the centre of the Glodwick suburb. Stuart Allsopp, an Oldham resident, told the Manchester Evening News he had raised the issue because there was a feeling that no enforcement was taking place.

“It’s dangerous for pedestrians,” Mr Allsopp said.

“You drive down and then a person jumps out from behind a car. It’s a 20mph zone. Lots of cars don’t go down a 20. They just race down. At night, it’s a race track.”

Rafit Hussain, a local business owner and chairman of the Oldham Group political party, said the lack of public transport links was making the parking issue worse. He called for more awareness and education around the problem, adding:

“The traffic wardens need to do their job. It’s simple. They are not doing a good job with it.”

During the Manchester Evening News visit to the road in August, one man observed at the scene said: “People here do not give a s***”, reflecting the level of frustration among those living and working in the area.

What Is Oldham Council’s Position on Parking Enforcement?

When the Manchester Evening News first published its story on the Waterloo Street parking situation, an Oldham Council spokesperson provided an initial statement on the authority’s approach to enforcement.

“We understand the frustration and concern that inconsiderate parking can cause to residents and we take this issue seriously,”

the spokesperson said.

The council official added:

“Since 1 January we have issued 252 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) on Waterloo Street, including 44 after 5pm. Cars parked illegally or without consideration for others can make it harder for pedestrians and other road users to get around safely and put people at risk.”

The spokesperson continued:

“We will continue to take action against vehicles parked in breach of parking restrictions, including issuing PCNs where needed. Our aim is to keep roads and pavements safe and accessible for everyone.”

The updated figures showing 273 total fines issued and 161 paid represent the council’s most recent data on enforcement activity on the street, provided in response to public questions about payment rates.

Why Are So Many Cars Parking Illegally on Waterloo Street?

The persistent parking problems on Waterloo Street have been attributed to several factors by local stakeholders. Videos posted online have documented the scale of the issue, with claims that up to 125 vehicles were parked illegally during evening hours on a single occasion.

Rafit Hussain, who operates a business in the area, pointed to inadequate public transport connections as a contributing factor to the high volume of cars in the area. The combination of limited alternative transport options and what some residents describe as insufficient enforcement has created conditions where illegal parking has become commonplace.

The Manchester Evening News observed during its August visit that vehicles were parked on double yellow lines along the entire length of Waterloo Street, with additional cars parked on grass verges, causing damage to green spaces in the area. The road operates as a 20mph zone, but residents have reported that many drivers exceed this speed limit, creating additional safety concerns for pedestrians who may step out from behind parked vehicles.

Background of the Waterloo Street Parking Issue

The parking enforcement situation on Waterloo Street in Glodwick has developed over recent months as part of wider concerns about inconsiderate parking across Oldham and Greater Manchester. The street has become a focal point for debate about parking restrictions, enforcement activity, and the responsibilities of both drivers and local authorities in maintaining safe and accessible roads.

Oldham Council has faced scrutiny over parking enforcement in other areas of the borough as well. In 2025, the authority issued 946 Penalty Charge Notices around Dovestone Reservoir, with additional fines issued on surrounding roads including Holmfirth Road, Bradbury Lane, and Bank Lane. The council has implemented measures including permanent double yellow lines and regular deployment of traffic wardens to address parking problems at beauty spots and residential areas.

The Waterloo Street situation reflects broader challenges faced by local authorities in balancing enforcement activity with practical parking provision, particularly in areas where public transport alternatives are limited and demand for on-street parking is high. The 59 per cent payment rate on fines issued on Waterloo Street indicates that a significant proportion of penalties remain unpaid, which may reflect ongoing disputes about the fairness or necessity of enforcement action among local residents and visitors.

Predictions for How This Development May Affect Oldham Residents

The disclosure of parking fine data on Waterloo Street is likely to have several implications for residents and other stakeholders in the Glodwick area. The 59 per cent payment rate on issued fines may prompt further questions from local residents about the effectiveness of current enforcement approaches and whether additional measures are needed to address the underlying causes of illegal parking.

For residents living on or near Waterloo Street, the council’s commitment to continued enforcement action may provide some reassurance that the issue is being taken seriously. However, the persistence of illegal parking despite 273 fines being issued in 2026 suggests that enforcement alone may not be sufficient to change driver behaviour in the area. This could lead to increased pressure on Oldham Council to consider additional interventions, such as improved signage, physical barriers to prevent pavement parking, or enhanced public transport options to reduce car dependency.

Local business owners like Rafit Hussain have already called for greater awareness and education around parking rules, as well as more consistent enforcement by traffic wardens. If payment rates on fines remain low, this may strengthen arguments for a more comprehensive approach that combines enforcement with community engagement and infrastructure improvements.

For drivers in the area, the publication of fine data serves as a reminder that parking restrictions on Waterloo Street are actively enforced, with penalties issued throughout the day including during evening hours. The council’s statement that it will “continue to take action against vehicles parked in breach of parking restrictions” indicates that enforcement activity is likely to continue at current or increased levels.

The broader context of parking enforcement across Oldham, including significant penalty issuance at locations like Dovestone Reservoir, suggests that the council is prioritising parking compliance across multiple areas of the borough. Residents in other parts of Oldham experiencing similar parking challenges may look to the Waterloo Street data as an indicator of how the council approaches enforcement and what level of compliance can be expected in their own areas.