A city-wide survey has revealed that many residents and visitors with mobility issues find it difficult to navigate parts of Wells, with particular concerns raised about pavement conditions, access to toilets, and the availability of useful information.

The Accessible Wells Citizen's Survey, carried out earlier this year, asked 109 people to rate how well the city supports those with mobility needs. Responses came from mobility aid users, carers, and other residents. The survey found that in most areas, dissatisfaction significantly outweighed satisfaction.

Among the key findings:

• Respondents were 16.8 times more likely to say pavements were in poor condition than in good condition
• They were 12.1 times more likely to say pavements did not offer a manageable travel network
• 9.8 times more likely to say they struggled to find useful information for mobility aid users
• 7.3 times more likely to say disabled toilets were difficult to find and access
• 6.8 times more likely to say disabled people could not fully participate in city life

The group behind the survey, Accessible Wells, says the results give a clear picture of the challenges facing residents and visitors alike.

Campaigner Theo van Hensbergen said:

"It's evident from the strength of concern and breadth of issues that improvement is required across all fronts. And now we better understand the priorities and have valuable information for both Wells City Council and Somerset Council, I am delighted to be able to say that several issues are being actively worked on."

The survey also attempted to estimate how the results might scale across the full population of Wells (around 12,000 people). If representative, it suggests:

• Around 11,285 people would be dissatisfied with the condition of pavements
• 11,008 would be dissatisfied with how pavements support disabled access
• More than 10,000 would be dissatisfied with access to information and toilets

Accessible Wells began as a local initiative after resident Brian Clarke was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Walking around the city with friends and neighbours, Brian and others noticed how many practical challenges wheelchair users face — and decided to take action.

Some work already underway

The group says several improvements are already happening, including:

• Installation of drop kerbs to improve travel networks
• Promotion of businesses offering free access to disabled toilets
• Launch of the Accessible Wells website to share information
• Plans to reduce traffic speeds in the city centre
• Work to improve the location and visibility of disabled parking bays
• Measures to prevent pavement parking

But they also note that some key concerns — including the state of pavement surfaces — do not yet have fully developed action plans. Other areas requiring attention include:

• Better engagement from businesses on their legal obligations
• Communication with mobility aid users and carers
• Dog fouling and street cleanliness
• Audible signals at crossings, where allowed under national guidance

Next steps

Accessible Wells hopes to repeat the survey in 2026 to track any changes and measure the impact of the current work. The group says ongoing communication and action will be key to building a city that is safe, accessible, and welcoming to everyone.

A full copy of the report is available to read here.