Disabled people, who have led a 10-year campaign for permanent access to Llanelli Town Hall's front door, could finally be victorious.

Carmarthenshire council have drawn up plans for a device to allow people with mobility problems into the building.

Why shouldn't people with disabilities get in through the same door as any able-bodied person Frank Allen, Llanelli Disabled Access Group

At the moment portable ramps can be set up by staff but members of the Llanelli Disabled Access Group have said they want facilities at the Grade II listed building improved.

If the plans are given the go-ahead it would be the latest in a raft of measures which has seen more than �600,000 being spent by the local authority throughout the region.

Claire Griffiths, from Carmarthenshire council, said the building preservation group CADW has blocked plans for the town hall in the past but new proposals were being discussed.

A representative from CADW said they are working together with the authority after rejecting previous proposals because they were damaging to the building.

The new route could not come soon enough for Frank Allen, chairman of the Disabled Access Group.

Mr Allen said the same access route should be enjoyed by disabled as well as able-bodied people.

Campaigning continues

"Why shouldn't people with disabilities get in through the same door as any able-bodied person," he said.

"Disabled people want to get into the same places as anyone else.

"The town hall is a Grade II listed building - built in a time when anyone with a disability was locked in a back room not able to see the light of day," he added.

Mr Allen and his 20-strong group, which covers the area from Ferryside to north of Llandovery, said they will continue to call for better facilities at buildings throughout the town.

Schemes including recently-built flush kerbs, dimpled pavements and better access will benefit elderly people and parents with pushchairs as well," said Mr Allen.

The easy rider scheme in Pembrey Country Park, where wheelchair users can be locked into a six-wheel car which they drive, is one example of a "fantastic" facility, he added.

The Llanelli Disabled Access Group has praised Carmarthenshire County Council and presented them with a certificate for their work in the town.

Further projects are now planned for Felinfoel, Cross Hands and Cefneithin.

We complete around 400 works a year, at an annual cost of around �200,000, Roy Griffiths, Carmarthenshire Council

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the authority must take all reasonable steps to improve facilities for disabled people by 2004.

The council's senior streetcare engineer Roy Griffiths said the authority is now reaching out to outlying areas.

"The aim is to complete works at every town and village in Carmarthenshire," he said.

"The programme is in its third year and we are planning works for next year.

"We complete around 400 works a year, at an annual cost of around �200,000," he added.