POLLING stations in the district are set for a shake-up.

Bradford Council is today discussing plans for new venues for people to cast their votes at future elections.

Additional housing in recent years has prompted a need for more polling stations.

And some existing sites could be dropped due to concerns over their suitability.

It is the first review of Bradford-district polling stations for five years.

On election days, buildings across the district – including church halls, schools and community centres ­– are given over for people to vote.

Following a consultation in the summer, issues were raised about access to some locations.

Among those subject to concerns were the Crossflatts Over-50s Community Centre, where there was a worry over disabled access and signage, and the nursery at Nessfield Primary School in Keighley where voters complained about insufficient parking and access issues during the May election. At future elections, the main school building rather than the nursery will be used as a polling station.

A report into the changes says local authorities have a duty to review the accessibility of all polling places to disabled voters and to ensure that every venue for which it was responsible was accessible.