A Welshpool resident staged a protest at the town’s banking hub over a lack of disabled access to the building - and says he has been promised quick action.

Anyone making a trip to their bank in Welshpool on the morning of Monday, August 6, were greeted by a chain stretched across the front entrance as a form of protest.

Roger Martin, aged 62, staged the protest at the hub over a lack of disabled access at its front entrance despite promises that a ramp would be added after the hub opened last year.

Mr Martin said: “I’ve been frustrated since they first opened. After eight months of waiting I felt it was time to make my voice heard in the best way I could.

“Last week I arrived at the hub expecting to see a temporary ramp at the very least but found nothing. I decided something had to change.

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“I was there for three hours and had lots of people say they appreciated what I was doing. A few people had some negative comments, with some worried I would get the hub closed. But I disagree, I believe I was making a point on how to improve it.

“I didn’t prevent people from going in if they needed to and fully co-operated with the police when they arrived and asked me to stop.

“Even the police seemed surprised when I told them there was no disabled access at the entrance. There are only two steps but they are a huge issue for anyone with mobility issues.

“I’ve already accomplished more than I thought I would. I had a phone call from the management of the hub soon after on installing a temporary ramp ahead of a permanent one.

“I’m keen to work with the hub to keep an open dialogue. But we were promised a ramp eight months ago, so if nothing happens I’ll stage another protest.

“It’s unfortunate that we still have to resort to things like this in 2024, but I couldn’t see any other way of getting it done.”

A spokesperson for Cash Access UK, who run Welshpool’s Bank Hub, said: "We understand the frustration among the community to improve accessibility to the Banking Hub in Welshpool.

“We are fully committed to installing a ramp to ensure all customers can use the Hub and we’re sorry for the time it’s taking.

“While we initially had plans submitted to install a ramp last year, the installation of the new external cash machine means that we have had to change the application and resubmit new designs. We hope the approval and subsequent building work can take place as soon as possible.”