AFTER a year of being closed for refurbishments Poole Library has opened without a working lift, leaving wheelchair users and those with mobility problems unable to access it.

The facility was closed for more than a year for refurbishments including “safe building adaptations, fit out, and for major replacement of ventilation, lighting and heating building systems".

But it opened this week without a working lift.

One user who went to the library on the day it opened, posted on social media to say she found the situation "ridiculous".

“I went to go to Poole library today as it finally reopened after a year, and the lift to it is now out of action for at least three weeks, and I have been informed there is no alternative access by security.

“As a full-time wheelchair user I find it ridiculous that it was closed all that time and only now it's reopened the lift is now being done.”

Poole councillor Mark Howell said: “We’ve waited a long time and it's disappointing to hear that there will be another delay but hopefully it will be sorted as soon as possible.”

Poole library reopened in October, around six months later than originally planned.

READ MORE: Poole Library set to reopen after one year of refurbishments

An officer from BCP Council said: “We are aware of the issue with the lift which is under the management of the Dolphin Centre. We had hoped that the repair works would have been completed in time for the reopening of the library, however that was unfortunately not the case.

“It was decided despite this to press ahead with the much-anticipated opening of the newly refurbished library.

“It is planned that the new Customer Services office will be moved to the library on 7 November however this depends on the lift being operational.

“We are in regular communication with the Dolphin Centre management team and are awaiting further clarification on the completion date of the repairs and in the meantime Customer Services will remain in its temporary home at Beech House.”