Amidst plans for Midsomer Norton’s High Street regeneration, Welton resident, Michael Moxham, has raised a number of issues regarding disabled access in the town – a plea that he hopes will not go unnoticed.

Mike has been wheelchair-bound since 2014, after undergoing bypass surgery for a hereditary disease that affected both his father and brother, and meant that both of his legs had to be amputated.

His main concern is the lack of public and disabled-access toilets in Midsomer Norton. Over the years, the town has lost the public toilets in both The Island and Gullock Tyning – both because of vandalism and the cost of their upkeep.

When the Island toilets were removed, the Town Council had a new facility put in on the ground floor of the Town Hall, which was meant to be for the public to use during opening hours.

As well as a lack of, the main problem, however, is access. The public toilets at the Library can accommodate motorised scooters, but the building is not always open, and is due to relocate as part of B&NES’ plans to move the library into the Hollies. Mr Moxham has trouble with this location, as the uphill slope is difficult when he is pushing himself in a wheelchair.

He says: “B&NES Council have it in their heads that a disabled person can get up and walk a bit, if they manage to find an accessible bathroom. Most people don’t even realise the problem, until they find themselves in this situation. It’s important there is enough space, and I am really concerned that if the library moves, I will be out of options.”

Mike’s friend and occasional helper, Dave, added: “One woman at the Council asked him if he could use crutches – there’s no way he could do that.”

Mike continued: “People have said to me: ‘You’ve got prosthetic legs. If I had prosthetic legs, I’d be using them all the time.’

“Well, no, you wouldn’t. They’re extremely heavy, and after an hour, they become uncomfortable. It’s not like what you see on the Olympics.”

Mr Moxham says his ideal scenario would be the construction of a new toilet block in the High Street, open not only to disabled users, but to help the elderly and parents with baby changing.

With the use of a Radar Key, people with disabilities have access to over 9,000 toilets across the country. However, the system is not currently in place in towns like Midsomer Norton. He says: “I have a Radar Key, but it’s no use.

And in the evenings, there is nowhere accessible in the town. When it’s 8 p.m. or 9 p.m, why can’t I use the toilet? I’m not going to destroy the place or leave it in a mess.

“I often go to Burnham-on-Sea, which is only a small town, but the toilets are fantastic. There is a dedicated disabled block, with plenty of room inside, and this can be accessed with a Radar Key.”

Reacting to the news of work on Wetherspoon, at the Old Palladium, finally looking likely, Mike said: “I know they have disabled access for motorised scooters – many of the larger national chains will have the money to invest in much-needed facilities such as these. If they build one in Midsomer Norton, it would be a relief to have an accessible toilet in the centre of town. However, they are meant for customers only.”

The situation has become so bad, that Mr Moxham has to be extremely prepared before he leaves the house. But he has still been caught out, which has caused him stress and anxiety; putting him off visiting the High Street altogether.

Another issue raised is the lack of disabled parking spaces in the High Street. His car is fitted with a Braun Ability Chair Topper – a box that carries his wheelchair on the roof. It opens out to dispense the wheelchair, allowing him to access it directly from the driver’s seat. This means that his car needs a wide enough space to allow for this manoeuvre, and the narrow, on-the-road parking of the High Street does not make this easy.

A recent survey, conducted by The Journal, Cognisant Research and the Somer Valley Chamber of Commerce on shopping in Midsomer Norton, has initially found that a lack of toilets and the variety of shops are the two biggest issues for visitors and residents. More findings from this survey will be published very soon.

After being approached by The Journal, a spokesperson for B&NES Council said: “There is already a DDA compliant toilet within the Hollies. However, we are aware of the individual and his concerns, and as a result, are discussing making changes as part of the refurbishment of the building.

“Our designers are confident that reasonable adaptations can be made to the toilet to accommodate the needs of people with motorised scooters and families with young children visiting the town centre.

“If Midsomer Norton’s library is relocated to the Hollies, customers will have greater access to toilet facilities, as the existing library has a DDA compliant toilet, but no standard toilet facilities.”

Midsomer Norton Town Council is due to discuss at its September meeting how it can work with the Sarah Ann Trust to facilitate free public use of the toilet in the reception area during Town Council opening hours.