MANY thousands of pounds will need to be spent on Otley Civic Centre to bring it into line with the Disability Discrimination Act - due to land in 2004.

For town councils all over the country, it is going to be an enormous expense as they struggle to make their public buildings accessible to all.

Otley Town Council has taken the major step of having a survey done of the whole building and is now waiting to find out just how much it will cost.

But it is determined that the building, even though some rooms will never be fully accessible, will be useable by everyone in the community.

The civic centre may not be as perfectly maintained as many would expect, but it is an old building that has suffered neglect - from both the owner and the tenant.

What is clear is that it is the main venue and meeting place for many varied organisations, groups and clubs in the town.

The town council should be applauded for getting to grips with the building and trying its best to make it the pride of the town.

Time to speak out

People are being urged to have a say in the future regeneration of Otley. As a central market town, Otley is the focus for many small villages and communities.

With money available from the government, efforts are now being made to make sure that money will be spent wisely. But people need to speak out now - and not come back in the months ahead to complain they knew nothing about it.