The 'Proper Pavements for Wells' rally, initially planned for 7th December, has been rescheduled to Thursday, 21st December.

Set to start at 2pm at the Town Hall, this event is a critical call to action for city leaders to address the accessibility challenges faced by less able residents in navigating Wells' pavements.

The rally will feature the presentation of the Wells Streets Accessibility Survey 2023, conducted by residents Theo van Hensbergen, Brian Clarke, and Robert Payne. Their survey, which assessed factors like drop kerb heights and overall pavement conditions, has uncovered significant concerns for less able pavement users.

City and county councillors are expected to attend, with the organisers hopeful that the survey findings will lead to tangible improvements. Representatives from Somerset Council, including Councillor Mike Rigby and Councillor Tessa Munt, will be present to receive a copy of the report, which highlights an apparent "indifference to the needs of our less mobile citizens".

The report proposes several solutions, such as re-zoning certain streets for pedestrian prioritisation and increasing disabled parking bays. While acknowledging some accessible services and recent improvements, it emphasises the urgent need for further enhancements, despite the financial constraints faced by Somerset Council.

The full report will be accessible online and at Wells Library for public review and download. The rally, open to all who wish to support the cause, is a platform for the community to express their concerns and demand action.

Theo van Hensbergen calls for community support: "We want to show the impact of these issues on many of us. Please don't ignore us." A dedicated Facebook page for the campaign will soon be launched, and supporters can reach out to the organisers at [email protected] for more information.