Warrington visually impaired community calls for clear pavements

3

Warrington VIP (Visually Impaired People) are asking drivers to consider the needs of the disabled community when they are parking on pavements.

The RNIB, Guide Dogs and sight loss councils’ charities are running national campaigns to raise drivers’ awareness of the problems caused by obstacles such as parked vehicles, bins and A-board signs outside shops etc. left on pavements.
VIP Chair Geoff Settle, former Mayor of Warrington, said: “Our members experience varying degrees of sight loss, from poor vision to severe sight impairment or blindness. This means they are often unaware of their surroundings. Pavements should be safe spaces for all pedestrians, not obstacle courses. Try walking blindfolded around your house, and you’ll quickly understand some of the challenges they face.”
The RNIB has produced a series of excellent videos and a guide, which illustrates how to make our streets accessible for everyone and it details what can be done to improve the situation and minimise the dangers.

How you can make our streets accessible for everyone | RNIB

They write about pavement parking on their website with four key aspects:

  1. When cars are parked on pavements, visually impaired people may have to risk their lives by walking into the road just to get by them. This is an issue that also impacts parents with prams, wheelchair users, older people and many others.
  2. A survey by Guide Dogs showed that 97% of people with a vision impairment encounter problems with street obstructions, and 90% of those had experienced trouble with a pavement-parked car.
  3. A YouGov survey from January 2013 showed that over half of motorists had considered the problems pavement parking would cause to pedestrians but had chosen to do so regardless. It is clear change needs to happen.
  4. A standardised law across the country would make it clear that pavement parking should be the exception, not the norm for motorists, and give local authorities real power to properly tackle this problem. We want a clear law where drivers cannot park on the pavement unless in a specifically designated area, in line with Greater London.

Geoff continued: “Incidents that stand out for me include taking a member home after they had been knocked over crossing a road because of parked cars. There was a man who was knocked over recently by a cyclist, e-scooters are an even greater hazard because they are silent and fast. Another was a man who retired and became blind asked for help to avoid cars parked on pavements either side of his street. He was walking down the center of the road counting his steps to get to the bus stop to travel to Warrington Hospital Eye Clinic. He ended up walking into a car parked outside his house and ended up at the hospital where he was treated for his injuries. We were able to help the blind man through training from the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer in how to use a blind cane.  All three of these people lost their confidence and received injuries, cuts and bruises.”
The following Guide Dogs link to a video illustrates well some of the issues that guide dog users face https://youtu.be/K2CZZUCxu9c and the devastating effects of pavement parking. Geoff said, “Just before Christmas the Guide Dogs charity asked me to write to my local MP and invite them to a meeting about pavement parking that they were hosting at the House of Commons. Charlotte Nichols MP wrote back thanking me for the invite saying that she was planning on attending the Christmas Event.”

She wrote “In 2020, the Department for Transport undertook a public consultation on options for changing the way pavement parking is managed outside London. The Government is currently considering the views expressed and feedback received to inform its next steps. Its plan is to publish a formal response to the consultation, summarising the views received and announcing the Government’s next steps for pavement parking policy in due course. More widely, I want to see the fullest possible access to businesses and services for owners of guide dogs and assistance dogs. I share the Government’s commitment to the principle that guide dogs and assistance dogs should always be allowed access, except in the most exceptional circumstances. I welcome the fact that Ministers have pledged to break down the barriers to opportunity faced by disabled people and people with health conditions, including by improving its support offer. As part of this work, it is engaging with stakeholders to keep the views of disabled people at the heart of the actions it takes. I share the Government’s commitment to championing the rights of disabled people.”
Geoff had also mentioned pavement parking issues at his local shop and school, that the local police and traffic wardens were trying to resolve because they were impacting residents. Offenders had even argued that they had a right to park there, or they were late and had no option. The MP gave the following advice “Regarding the parking near the school and the shop’ if you see a car that is illegally parked, please contact 101. Parking on pavements is selfish and causes many dangers to pedestrians and other road users. I am pleased to hear that some cars are being ticketed. This may make others think and park their car in a more appropriate place.”

Anyone else wishing to find out more about Warrington Visually Impaired People and its offerings please contact VIP on 01925 632700 or [email protected] , or alternatively please visit the Warrington VIP website www.warringtonvip.co.uk


3 Comments
Share.

About Author

3 Comments

  1. Some has been done recently in places like where I ran yesterday.

    You can go on to the WBC web site and log the issue on your account if you have one. It can take time but it’s the best time for cutting hedges now.

    Why not contact your local councillor and get the to sort the issue?

    Or cinnamon brow residents association via their Facebook site – they have become quite active in the last 12 months.

Leave A Comment