DISABLED access could be improved at council offices – if a proposal for a £50,000 lift can be agreed.

Maldon District Council is failing in its duty to provide disabled access at the offices in Princes Road, Maldon– under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 – and has already received a discrimination complaint.

But it is thought that, unlike previous plans for a lift to the council chamber on the first floor which have been budgeted for and then cancelled – a new site for a lift within the office could now be possible.

A spokesman for the council said: “A lift had previously been planned in another part of the building but was eventually abandoned due to the amount of building work required and the cost associated with it.

“ A revised plan is being considered. The project, if agreed, could improve access to the majority of the first floor and public access to the council chamber and meeting rooms.

“The council has an obligation under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 to provide wheelchair access to public areas, such as the council chamber, and this is why the subject is being reconsidered,” he added.

A decision was due to be made at a meeting of the finance and corporate services committee last night, Tuesday March 3.