The Green Party have urged BCP Council to provide alternative parking spaces for disabled residents during events in Poole Quay.
Poole Quay is host to several popular events, most notably their bike meets, firework shows and vintage car fairs.
Each year, on the day of these events, BCP Council closes 13 disabled parking spaces. Signs are put out instructing drivers to move their cars before 5pm.
The Council provides no alternative parking places for the drivers.
BCP Green Party said they believe that the regular community events on Poole Quay are “a cherished part of local life, bringing people together and boosting our local economy. But they must be inclusive.”
They are calling for BCP Council to meet with a local independent accessibility group and create an alternative arrangement which works for disabled residents and visitors.
Photo by Maisie Edwin.
Sharon Small, 68, from Creekmoor, has been to many of the events hosted on Poole Quay over the years.
In this time, she said the situation with disabled parking has worsened.
“Disabled people are excluded from these events,” Small said. “The event may not start until 7pm but they’ll have cones along at 5pm. Those are the closest spaces to those events.”
Two popular evening events in the summer are bike night and classic car night. On these nights, the disabled bays have been used to showcase additional vintage cars and motorbikes.
BCP Council has stated that they need the spaces in their control for health and safety, however Small argues that if they are going to use these spaces for display then they’re being misused.
“It’s only 13 less when they’re displaying thousands anyway. The event would just be full at a point of 13 places less.”
Small says she has contacted disability rights associations in the past, but no action has been taken. She believes a thorough investigation, looking across all disabilities and disability groups, is needed.
Green Party Councillor Simon Bull said: “This isn’t just about parking, it’s about independence, dignity and equal access to public life.
“Let’s make sure our public spaces and celebrations are welcoming to all. If disabilities can’t be suspended, accessibility shouldn’t be either.”
By Maisie Edwin
The Upton Country Park Closure