Midsomer Norton Town Councillors heard from Michael Moxham at their October meeting on Monday night, a local resident who has featured in The Journal recently, campaigning for better toilet facilities in the town, particularly for the disabled.

Addressing Town Councillors, Mr Moxham said: “The disabled toilet facilities in Midsomer Norton are basically non-existent, and I ask you all to look at this in more detail. I have 440 signatures from people agreeing with me which were left with local shops.

“Only the library is big enough for my motorised scooter, and this is not always open, and this will eventually be moving to the Hollies.

“I’d also like to know how much is spent on maintaining the river – in my opinion, there are the wrong species of plants in there – it is an uphill struggle to look after, and always will be. Disabled toilets are a facility that is really needed by local people. Why can’t the money be spent on that, instead?”

Cllr Paul Myers addressed the meeting and said that whilst there was a DDA compliant toilet in the Hollies, Mr Moxham’s campaign had meant that B&NES are looking closely at measurements needed to allow for motorised scooters to be able to turn in the refurbished facility, once the library moves in. A meeting is due with the Sarah Ann Trust at the Town Hall, to investigate costings for a sign for the toilet provided there, and to look at measurements needed for motorised scooters.

Cllr Myers added that the Chamber of Commerce would be asking traders if they would be willing to open up their facilities to members of the public, and if they would display a symbol in their window to that effect. Mr Moxham added that this would be difficult in terms of insurance for local shop-keepers.

In the recent shoppers’ survey printed in The Journal, access to public toilets had a low score by respondents, and Councillors agreed it was an issue that should be looked in to further.