Paul Howell, Member of Parliament for Sedgefield learned about the problems pavement parking and street clutter cause for people with sight loss when they met the charity Guide Dogs at party conference.
Paul Howell MP spoke with guide dog owners and staff from the charity and took on the challenge of an interactive pinball game highlighting the obstacles people with sight loss encounter on a daily basis.
Paul met Elaine and her guide dog Inca: “Every time I leave the house I leave with raised anxiety as I’m already thinking about what obstacles are going to be in our way.”
Cars blocking pavements are one of the main barriers preventing people with sight loss from walking the streets safely, and in some cases can force people onto the road.
YouGov polling on behalf of the charity Guide Dogs found nearly three-quarters (72%) of people surveyed said pavement parking is common in their area.
Pavement parking has largely been prohibited on pavements in London since 1974, and the charity is calling for the Government to extend this law across rest of England. They say a clear law is needed where pavement parking is the exception, not the norm, to ensure that everyone can walk their streets safely. Three quarters (74%) of councillors also support Guide Dogs’ call for a new law.
Eleanor Briggs, Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs said:
“The message from the public and local councillors is clear; our streets are not safe because of cars blocking pavements.
Parking on pavements is a nuisance for everyone, but potentially dangerous if you are a wheelchair user forced onto the road, pushing a child in a buggy or have sight loss and can’t see traffic coming towards you.”
This daily threat can mean people can’t safely get to work, education or to see friends. This is why we’re calling for a law that would empower local councils to tackle this problem.”