Sefton Council - Parking Fine

Does this look like a disabled parking space to you?

In 2008 I parked in this car parking space - now, on first look, is this a typical run of the mill car parking space, or one reserved for people with disabilities?  Well, there were four of us in the car and not one of us noticed that is was marked as such - and perhaps looking at the photo you can see why.  Compare with the examples from Safeway in the first posting on this blog and you'll see that:

1. The sign on the post is too high to notice, and blue, designed NOT to be noticed.  Other signs in the UK have ORANGE marking on the sign so it doesn't look just like a normal parking sign.
2. The yellow graphic on the ground is almost completely invisible - compare this with the Safeway picture below - bright orange, and bright orange hashes too.
3. The white lines on the ground have been replace, but NOT the yellow graphic - making it even less noticeable.

When my partner reported this to Sefton Council by phone they promised to consider it and call us back - they never did.  We paid up, rather than face doubling of the fine whilst the council considered things.

Now, over two years later I am still smarting enough to be bothered about this - so will email the council shortly to see what they have to say for themselves - and contact my bank and I think I can dispute the payment.

Wish me luck ...