Visitors and staff at Poole Magistrates’ Court are facing significant accessibility challenges after BCP Council closed the car parks serving the site. The closures, which began on 26 February 2026, were implemented ahead of the final sale of the Poole Civic Centre to the MCR Property Group.
The HM Courts and Tribunal Service, which owns the court, reported they were not informed of the decision and only discovered the car parks were closing when fencing and signs appeared on 23 February. People attending the court, including lawyers, victims, witnesses, and police, are now forced to walk approximately one mile from the nearest long-term parking at the Dolphin Centre, a journey that takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes.
The situation has raised serious concerns regarding accessibility for vulnerable court users. In one instance, a disabled woman and her husband were unable to access the building, eventually being forced to abandon their car illegally before parking over a mile away. Defence solicitor Guy Gosheron, who has visited more than 50 courts across the country, stated that he has never encountered a court with no local parking options. He noted that legal professionals are prepared to pay for parking, but there are currently no available public car parks nearby.
The sale of the site for £5.25 million is part of the council’s effort to address severe financial pressures, including a total estimated deficit of £380 million by 31 March 2028. Councillor Mike Cox, who oversees council finances, has previously described the local authority as being technically insolvent. Poole MP Neil Duncan-Jordan has publicly condemned the sale as an act of public vandalism, suggesting the site could have been used for community hubs or key worker housing.
Future access to the court is expected to become even more difficult once development work on the surrounding site begins. The only way to reach the main entrance will then be via a steep flight of stairs. While the council has declared a climate emergency with goals to increase walking and cycling by 2030, critics argue the removal of these parking facilities creates an immediate barrier for those who rely on vehicles to access essential public services.
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