Sight Loss Councils back Equal Pavements Pledge

Sight Loss Councils have joined forces with London pan-disability group Transport for All to promote the importance of accessible streets as part of our #StreetsForAll campaign.

Transport for All has published a seven-point Equal Pavements Pledge which it is promoting to local councils and transport authorities.

Sight Loss Councils have been campaigning for months to make the built environment more accessible for blind and partially sighted people.

The Sight Loss Councils #StreetsForAll campaign has included:

• Calling for action to tackle pavement parking
• Highlighting the problems caused by e-scooters
• Working to get local authorities to commit to engaging blind and partially sighted people in street design work and consult before changes are made.

 

Mike Bell, National Public Affairs Lead at Sight Loss Councils, said: “We’re pleased to work with Transport for All to highlight the importance of accessible streets for people with disabilities. Going for a walk in the neighbourhood or High Street is something many take for granted, but for blind and partially sighted people the reality can be very different.

 

“Too many streets present barriers which make access difficult or impossible. It’s important that we continue to shine a spotlight on the problems that parking, clutter and poor street design can cause and challenge local councils to do better.”

 

There are approximately 14 million people in the UK living with a disability, around 1 in 5 of the population. The combined total spending power of households including at least one disabled person is estimated at £274 billion a year. Research has shown that the inaccessibility of street spaces can be a significant deterrent to disabled people using them.

 

Publication date: 14 July 2021