Poole Town Centre

Spent the morning/lunchtime visiting Poole in the sunshine. Parked in the Dolphin Leisure Centre where you need to pay for parking (not free for Blue Badges). Didn't use a disabled bay as there was plenty of room in the carpark. Walked to Poole Park where we had brunch. Continued walk through underpass to Harbourside Park and on to the Quay, Poole. Took in the old town (just a couple of curbs to negotiate) and then headed back to the car to drive to Sandbanks for the afternoon.

Free Parking for disabled in Poole town centre is a nightmare. 12 bays under the fly over by the train station. 10 bays behind the Dolphin centre. I did find a futher 6 bays today, if you can't park under the fly over by the train station. As you leave the station, drive up the road turn left not right onto the fly over roundabout and just on the left side there is another 6 bays. The main car park which use to be free to all disabled blue badge holders by the Unemployment centre, unless you have a Poole council permit as well as your blue badge, you have to pay. I have a motorbility car which is tax free & just found out we also have to pay. I called Poole council after asking the traffic warden what to do as ticket machine instructions not clear. To get a Poole council parking permit, you have to send in your PIP or DLA confirmation as well as your motorbility papers with car registration details. Cost £26 per year. If you don't use Poole town centre often then the cost of the permit is not worth it. Cheaper to use the multi storey.

Blue badge holders are being charged for parking in poole unless you drive a motobilitity vehicle looks like this council puts money over the disabled ! I through my badge in the bin as it was no use to me !