WHEELCHAIR users should soon no longer be marooned at the foot of endless flights of stairs guarding imposing public buildings.

By October, the wide-ranging Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) comes into force ensuring there are equal access rights for all, no matter what their mental or physical disability.

But even though the deadline is just weeks away, change has been slow.

In particular, issues about adapting historic and listed buildings have bogged the process down.

Access measures can include putting up signs for the visually impaired, installing induction loops for deaf people and fitting ramps and handrails.

In Kirklees, a budget of £1.5m was allotted to cover 147 public buildings identified as needing changes in 2001.

Meltham Town Hall, for example, has been allocated £40,000 for improvement works.

A study by council architects and surveyors will include a review of access at the main entrance, routes around the building, access through doorways and to the upstairs as well as toilet facilities and fire escapes.

A Kirklees spokeswoman said: "The council is committed to improving access at all of all of its buildings in line with government objectives and its own policies for wider inclusion."

She added that delays were not uncommon: "This problem stems throughout the country where the DDA applies and is not unique to Kirklees."

Kirklees is believed to be the only council with a consultant accredited with the National Register of Access Consultants in addition to an access officer.