Organisation scrutinises shared streets
By Sarah Brubeck
A shared street is still being scrutinised for not including a kerb to assist the blind despite Kensington Council's efforts to make the road more accessible.
On June 5, the council met with the access committee, which was established to research and advise the council on the construction of the road.
The committee voted to add a kerb, but the council turned down the suggestion despite research the committee has done on minimum kerb requirements.
Vicky Bell, spokeswoman for Guide Dogs for the Blind said: "We want the kerb. The access group was set up as a view, and we thought our views would be considered, but they weren't. We're not going to stop until there is a kerb on Exhibition Road."
In response to a Guide Dogs for the Blind protest against the reconstruction of Exhibition Road in May, Kensington and Chelsea Council plans to place tactile corduroy - a flat, but rough surface that is found on stairs - on the pavement to help delineate where the pavement ends and the road begins.
But Guide Dogs for the Blind does not believe enough is being done.
Ms Bell said: "This is a great step forward, but we're going to keep working with them until all the features we think are necessary are implemented."
Cllr Andrew Lamont, who is himself partially sighted, recently became the 'access champion' to deal with the Guide Dogs for the Blind concerns.
Mr Lamont said he took the position because he was furious when he saw the Guide Dogs' protest on the news. He said the protest made it look like the council is discriminating against disabled people.
Mr Lamont said: "Anyone who is visually impaired knows that if they cross the corduroy, they will run into an obstacle. For me, kerbs are a nightmare because I trip on them all the time, and they are a problem for wheelchairs and cyclers."
Exhibition Road is very congested and research has proven no visually impaired people are seen walking on the road, Mr Lamont said.
He said: "My view as a councillor, but more importantly, as a person with access and disability issues, I can tell this will be a fabulous opening up of the cultural capital."
The council is trying to make it clear that the road will be more accessible to everyone, and the cars will yield to pedestrians.
He said: "There's been an accessibility group all along and they've been involved in some of the design issues. We are being very conscious of a wide range of people. Currently the disabled can't access Exhibition Road and make good use of it, and this is the opportunity to put it right."
However, the Guide Dogs still want their kerb.
Ms Bell said: "The kerb is the basis of the entire campaign. Without the kerb, it's not going to be safe enough for blind people. (Tactile corduroy) is only one feature, but it's not as effective as a full height kerb.
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Hammersmith&Kensington
Times News |
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