General News
Guide Dogs โSay NO to shared streetsโ campaign
Shared surface streets - often introduced as part of โshared spaceโ street designs - put blind and partially sighted people, disabled and elderly people, and young children at serious risk.
Guide Dogs โSay NO to shared streetsโ campaign aims to stop the implementation of shared surface streets when the kerb is removed and the road and pavement are built at the same level.
Blind and partially sighted people, particularly guide dog owners and long cane users, are trained to use the kerb as a key navigation cue so its removal has dangerous consequences. Pedestrians, motorists and cyclists have to make โeye contactโ to establish who moves first on a shared surface street, which obviously undermines the safety, confidence and independence of vulnerable pedestrians.
The campaign is targeting a number of existing and planned shared surface streets, including Exhibition Road in London. Plans to turn this busy tourist area into a shared surface street, actively discriminating against blind and partially sighted people and other disabled people, is expected to cost around ยฃ42m.
The campaign has received support from over 20 national disability organisations including Leonard Cheshire Disability, Arthritis Care and MENCAP. The Department for Transport (DfT) has recently issued a letter to all local authorities acknowledging the difficulties of shared surface streets for vulnerable pedestrians. This is ahead of a two year research project they are undertaking into shared surface streets. Over 130 MPโs have signed Early Day Motion 496, to stop shared surface streets being built until the results of DfTโs research.
Find out more about Guide Dogs โSay NO to shared streetsโ campaign and Take Action at www.guidedogs.org.uk/sharedstreets Simply fill in your details and add your concerns about shared surface streets to send a personal message to your MP. It only takes a minute but gives vital support to the campaign. If you do not have web access the information about who your MP is and whether he has signed the EDM can be found from the House of Commons Information Officer on 020 7219 4272 and you can write to your MP at the House of Commons London SW1A 0AA.
