Leading sight loss charities the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Warwickshire Association for the Blind (WAB) have called on Warwick County Council to take immediate action to make the town centre safer for blind and partially sighted people.
Following a recent redesign of the roads and pavements on the High Street into a shared space area, many pedestrians, including those with sight loss, feel they can no longer use the street as there is nowhere for them to cross the road safely and confidently.
"Breach of the Equality Act"
RNIB and WAB have repeatedly asked questions about the accessibility of the new layout and expressed concerns that the Council failed to carry out an equality impact assessment of the scheme. The organisations have called on the Council to install a controlled crossing as soon as possible or face the prospect of potential legal action for breach of the Equality Act.
The new pedestrian crossing points do not look like traditional crossings and are light and dark brown, providing insufficient contrast for those with sight loss. There are also concerns about the positioning of the tactile paving, and the fact that the width of the refuge areas can't accommodate a wheelchair user, mobility scooter or guide dog without spilling over onto the road.
Vaughan Rees, a blind resident of Warwick, said: "I was almost knocked over by a car when my wife and I tried to use one of the crossing areas earlier this month. Despite the fact I was wearing my high visibility belt and we were already half way across the road, the car approached us at high speed and made no attempt to stop.
"Both the 'keep left' signs have been knocked over and removed on this crossing. The town centre has become a "No Go" area."
"Essential to have clear areas to cross"
Rebecca Swift, RNIB Regional Campaigns Officer for the West Midlands, said: "It is essential for blind and partially sighted people to have clear, controlled areas at which they can cross the road safely and independently.
"Since the scheme opened, 11 of the bollards which signal to drivers to 'keep left' have been knocked down and we are concerned that this leaves all pedestrians, particularly those with sight loss, at risk."
RNIB and WAB are urging the Council to take action and provide a controlled crossing as soon as possible.
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Notes to Editor
For media enquiries, please contact Rachel Cafferty in RNIB's Public Relations Team on 0207 391 2043, email rachel.cafferty@rnib.org.uk
About RNIB
Everyday around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. There are around two million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk