A DISABILITY rights campaigner has branded as “disgusting” the staging of an important public meeting in a Bewdley building without disabled access.

Bewdley Town Council was due to hold a meeting last night at the Guildhall to discuss Wyre Forest Community Housing’s plans to build 46 affordable residential units at the former Wribbenhall First School in Shaw Hedge Road.

Mark Lawley, chairman of Disability Action Wyre Forest, said the Guildhall could not be accessed by disabled people as it was entered via stairs and had no lift.

He said: “It is a public meeting and it should be held so all the public can go to it. I am very angry. It is typical ignorance.

“The councillors are elected to serve the whole population of Bewdley but are ignoring disabled people in the town. It’s disgusting.”

He added: “It is very important that all people in Bewdley should be able to express their view on this issue. It is an important topic but disabled people can’t get into the building.”

Liz Davies, Independent Community and Health Concern town councillor, said: “I absolutely agree with Mr Lawley and understand his concerns.

“Unfortunately, we have been unable to persuade Wyre Forest District Council to fund disability access for the Guildhall.

“I have difficulties getting up there myself. We did try and find other venues but, unfortunately, they were not available to us. “ Mrs Davies said Wribbenhall Community Centre on Shaw Hedge Road was already “engaged” and other venues were not suitable.

She added: “I think that it is very important local people have the chance to raise their concerns on this planning application.”

A district council spokesman said: “The council has a strategy to make its public facilities accessible to disabled visitors where it is reasonable to do so within the Disability Discrimination Act.

“The council always makes every effort to ensure that its meetings can be accessed by the whole community and it is a matter for other local authorities such as Bewdley Town Council to ensure that they do the same.”