Blind people ‘confounded’ by green roads revolution

MANY blind people are struggling to emerge from lockdown because streets have been transformed by the Government’s green transport revolution, campaigners have claimed.

And the National Federation of the Blind of the UK has received reports of people who use a white cane becoming entangled in tables and chairs set up on pavements to help social distancing.

The problems are compounded by other hazards including plastic barriers for temporary cycle lanes and so-called “bus stop bypasses”, where the stop is sandwiched between the road and bike route. Andrew Hodgson, the federation’s president, said blind people were finding new road and pavement layouts “confounding”, making it almost impossible for them to socially distance.

“The changes to high street layouts have meant many now face an entirely new environment when they venture out,” he said.

“Blind people need a clear building line to follow with their cane. But we are coming up against tables and chairs, as well as those sitting down to eat and drink. We feel the needs of blind people have been ignored when councils designed these new layouts.”

Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, invited local authorities to bid for £250million to promote walking and cycling, to relieve pressure on public transport during the pandemic.

Sandy Taylor, the federation’s Scottish representative, said some councils appeared to be flouting the Equality Act as they had failed to make “reasonable adjustment” for the blind or disabled.

“We are being excluded from our own towns and city centres,” he said. “Everything is being done for cyclists.”

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: “Councils have had to make rapid decisions in order to adapt to social distancing guidelines and support the surge in demand for cycling and walking options due to the pandemic. They have tried to involve all parts of their communities as much as possible. Inevitably, not all schemes will be as successful as hoped and in some areas, these are being altered or removed to reflect changing local circumstances or views.”