Karen wants no barriers to getting out and about
LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER
Barriers facing visually impaired residents in Renfrewshire must be knocked down, according to an elected member.
Councillor Karen Kennedy is campaigning for every pedestrian crossing in the area to be inspected to ensure they are “fit for purpose” ahead of today’s full council meeting.
Tactile paving – a dimpled ground surface – is to be added to a zebra crossing in Love Street after the Labour member took constituent concerns to Renfrewshire Council.
Now she wants action taken on the rest of the local authority’s crossings to make sure there are no barriers to getting out and about.
This could include the repair or installation of tactile rotating cones on pedestrian crossing boxes, which indicate whether it is safe to cross.
She said: “We want people to go out and enjoy the town and the parks.
“Obstacles like this can be fixed so let’s do something about it.
“Basically, nobody should have a barrier to getting out and about in Renfrewshire.”
After council officers conducted a site visit in Love Street and agreed to install the paving, Councillor Kennedy visited Renfrewshire Visually Impaired Forum.
She was told of the struggles people face with advertising boards and cafe and pub furniture on the streets, which will see her ask council to assess the condition and safety of footpaths.
Councillor Kennedy said: “There are also problems with rubbish lying about, advertising boards and pub and cafe furniture causing hazards and making life difficult.
“But the tactile paving and the rotating cones is the main issue.
“I would like all crossings checked and where the cones are missing have them added or where it’s broken have them fixed.
“It’s silly that in this day and age people can’t go out and have the things that will help them.
“This is something that they have had to deal with all their lives and it’s something that the council can fix. I’m hoping that everyone will support it.”
Administration and opposition elected members will discuss the issue today, after Councillor Kennedy submitted a motion for debate.
The motion asks the local authority to instruct “the relevant departments to inspect every pedestrian crossing in Renfrewshire to ensure they are fit for purpose for our visually impaired residents.”
It continues: “Council will take appropriate action where needed to install or repair tactile paving and tactile rotating discs to enable those residents to cross with a degree of safety.
“Council also agrees to undertake an assessment of the condition of Renfrewshire’s footpaths with regard to their safety for disabled and visually impaired residents.”