'It's a gravy train': Postman's fury at council after he's fined in Heaton Park car parking row

A postman has accused the council of ‘trying to make easy money out of people’ after being fined for parking at Heaton Park.

Lee Tracey says his family's visit to Heaton Park on Sunday (May 16) was marred by the fine, which he received for not parking in a designated space.

However, Lee claims that no signage or markings were present advising him that he should not park in the spot.

In response, Manchester City Council says that the lack of parking space lines ‘makes it clear that motorists should not park in this area’.

“I spoke to the traffic warden and he said it was not a space — but it has not got any double yellow lines or hatchings and there was no sign,” Lee, 42, said.

Another view of Lee's parking space (Lee Tracey)

“He told me that ‘we have that problem all the time’ and told me to appeal, and that he has spoken to his bosses about marking it up.

“I cannot see how it is not a legal parking space. It is just disappointing. We like to use that park, it’s nice. We go there and spend money in the cafe, on ice cream and we also go to events — but this puts us off a little bit.

“How many people are they doing this to? It’s a gravy train at £25 a pop. To me it looks like they are trying to make easy money out of people.”

His fine was issued at 12:05pm — well before the expiration time shown on his ticket of 2:23pm.

Lee has appealed to the council but has seen his bid to overturn the fine dismissed.

The ticket Lee bought was until 2.23pm - but the fine was issued at 12.05pm, so the only issue was where he left his vehicle (Lee Tracey)

Lee, who lives in Shaw, Oldham, says he appreciates why parking rules are in place to protect the parkland, but believes there is hypocrisy in the council’s own rules.

He added: “I can understand as people can park on the grass and on the kerbs — that is illegal parking.

“They said you have to park in a designated space, but they have got meters on the overflow field — but there are no marked bays there.”

When asked about the incident, Manchester City Council said: “The vehicle in question was not parked in a designated parking bay which is why a PCN was issued.

“There is clear signage at the site that tells motorists a Penalty Charge Notice will be issued if they do not park in a designated bay.

“The space in question is used for turning and access for car park users. There are no parking lines, making it clear that motorists should not park in this area.

“If a motorist is unhappy with the outcome of an appeal they are able to challenge this decision through the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.”