I'm disabled and I was forced to take my life into my own hands just to exit West Street Car Park in Blackpool

A disabled Blackpool woman was forced to turn to desperate measures when she found the lift was out of action at a town centre car park.

Dorothy Jones, of Bond Street in South Shore, needs a mobility scooter to get around and had been driven by a friend on a rare shopping trip into town.

When they realised after paying for their parking that six flights of stairs were the only way down to the street, Dorothy rode her mobility scooter down the vehicle exit ramp, with her friend keeping a close eye out for any vehicles behind them.

Dorothy’s danger ride came as Blackpool Council, which operates the car park, revealed that it is likely to be another two months before the lift, last in use in early May, is back available.

A council spokesperson confirmed to The Gazette that it is likely to be mid-September before the lift access is restored, meaning the stairs are the only option through the entire school summer holidays.

The spokesperson said: "The council has commissioned works to repair and modernise the lift at West Street car park. The works are expected to start in mid-August and will take around a month to complete."

The car park, behind the town hall and close to the promenade and prime attractions including the Grand Theatre and the Winter Gardens, was last restored to use on May 6 - for a single day - after previously being out of use for several weeks.

A sign at the vehicle entrance advises drivers of the closure and recommends Talbot Road multi-storey as an alternative - as do signs next to the lift on the landings.

But Dorothy claims that is not adequate warning and has called for notices regarding the closure at the pay machines.

“That sign at the entrance is so easily missed,” she said. “There needs to be some kind of warning to people where the pay machines are, so they have the option of driving out again if need be.

“We had parked up and paid and then found the stairs were the only way down unless I went by the ramp.

“Thankfully, we got down without encountering any vehicles but clearer signage would have made that unnecessary.”

The car park has 177 car parking spaces, with nine blue badge spaces for people with limited mobility.