Staff at a children's home have blasted Manchester Council for handing them a fine after they mistakenly parked in a disabled parking bay.
The workers argue the bays at Heaton Park do not have adequate signs on display, with only the bays marked as disabled with writing on the pavement.
Courtney Smith, a residential care worker, and a colleague visited the park on Saturday, July 20, with four children from the home for a special day out.
But when they returned to their car they were shocked to find the parking ticket and did not realise they were parked in a disabled bay.
They said when they arrived at the park a large Age Concern van was parked over the markings blocking them from view.
Courtney had already purchased a pay-and-display ticket which was placed at the front of her car.
The staff members sent an appeal to the council arguing the lack of signs and explained they were from a children's home.
In a response they were told there are not signs up due to concerns they would ruin the 'natural beauty of the park by creating an urban highway style environment'.
Courtney and her colleague have said they will now pay the £35 out of their own money.
She told the M.E.N: "We got a letter back saying a bigger sign would destroy the beauty of the area, but they can put pay and display signs up.
"You can't see the sign unless you get out and turn left. We had four young people in the car and went straight to the park.
"There was an Age Concern van parked over the disabled bit, you expect to see the markings in the actual bay. It doesn't look like disabled parking."
Courtney added: "It is not fair, the other people parked there had young kids and didn't see it. We have told the children we can't go there again now.
"It has put us off going, it has wrecked a nice day out."
A Manchester City Council spokesman said: "A fine was issued as the vehicle in question was parked in a bay which is reserved for disabled motorists.
"It is very important that suitable parking spaces are available for disabled people when they visit the park and suitable signage is in place to alert all drivers to the restrictions in place.
"The motorist's initial appeal against this fine was rejected. We have set out the steps she can take to challenge the initial decision and to provide any mitigating evidence she wishes to have taken into consideration."
