I HAVE recently joined the growing number of people forced to use a mobility scooter when it has been inconvenient to go somewhere by car.

Until you try it you have no idea of the pitfalls. Not all pavements have slopes for crossing roads, so instead of staying on pavements you are forced onto the road going around parked cars and facing oncoming traffic.

I had need to go to Upton Country Park and used the Holes Bay shoreline trail. The trouble is that I have to cross the Holes Bay Road at the recognised crossing point south of the mini roundabout from Broadstone and Upton. You are looking three ways at once and crossing two lanes of traffic that, far from slowing down at the roundabout, appears to speed up.

My maximum speed is 4mph. I only got to the other side thanks to several young men on cycles who shepherded me across.

Just to let you know I got both ways okay except for these two problem areas.

BRIAN GALPIN

Tatnam Road, Poole

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