RESIDENTS and councillors in Axbridge are teaming up to help revitalise the town. Organisers of the Axbridge Parish Plan posted 800 questionnaires throughout the town in 2005 and, after receiving 240 responses, a steering group will be joined by residents

RESIDENTS and councillors in Axbridge are teaming up to help revitalise the town.Organisers of the Axbridge Parish Plan posted 800 questionnaires throughout the town in 2005 and, after receiving 240 responses, a steering group will be joined by residents to act on parking, housing and youth facilities.The steering group held a walk-in session on Tuesday night to highlight the main issues and to encourage residents to get involved.People living in the town are particularly concerned about traffic speeding on the Axbridge bypass and want better pedestrian access to the busy road. The steering group is planning to carry out a traffic study to assess car parking and pedestrian options.Residents who responded to the questionnaire also said Axbridge has too much antisocial behaviour, not enough facilities for either children or adults and too few shops. The steering group is planning to create a community centre with sports facilities and to make The Square home to more events.The survey also found that residents are choosing to venture outside Axbridge to places such as Cheddar and Burnham to play sport and follow hobbies like bridge and gardening. The steering group wants to reinstate the all-weather court at the youth club and bring out a guide to advertise things to do in Axbridge.Half of the respondents felt the choice of housing in the town is not good enough or affordable for local people. Members of the steering group will try to work with Sedgemoor District Council to give Axbridge better, affordable housing.Other suggestions included a lunch club for the elderly and more places to get advice on health and fitness. Parish plan organisers are looking at setting up a food co-operative and could provide an Internet cafe.People employed in Axbridge want more car parking and banks and others would like to see a job centre.The Mayor of Axbridge, Baz Hamblin, said: "People think the plan is a great idea. I have had people ringing me asking to help them with their suggestions.