Lighthouse in Southampton.

The proposal, which is before the Planning Department, includes replacing stairs outside the building with pavement.

This, assistant director of parks Mr. Bill Cook explained, would allow those in wheelchairs to get to the telescopes and would also improve the landscape.

"Right now there is a mishmash of getting there (to the lighthouse),'' he said. "There is the chain across the opening and then there are the stairs that drop quite rapidly.'' With the lighthouse attracting thousands of visitors each year, Mr. Cook said it was important to improve the aesthetics.

And he added: "Whenever we can, we always like to have places handicapped accessible.''