The lift that takes people from the ground floor to the registry office and the council chamber broke last week and the parts needed to repair it will not be delivered for six weeks. At a meeting of Ripley Town Council on Tuesday, July 29, councillors expressed their displeasure and will write to the borough council.

Leader of the opposition labour group Cllr Geoff Carlile said: "It's not good enough that it should take six weeks. It needs to be dealt with as soon as possible."

A spokeswoman for the borough council said alternative arrangements were being made.

She said: "The lift is expected to remain out of order for up to six weeks while replacement parts, which are on order, arrive.

"Both the council chamber and register Office remain accessible by stairs and a chair lift.

"A lift in the main reception of the new town hall can be used if required to access the council chamber. Anyone wishing to use this lift will need to be escorted to and from the chamber by caretaking staff, as the route passes through parts of the building not open to the public."