Wheelchair users at risk of being hit by vehicles as pavement narrows

St John’s city and district councillor, Richard Udall argues the pathways are far too narrow to enable wheelchair use and are also a threat to social distancing in the current Coronavirus pandemic.

However, the county council insists the scheme meets the required standard.

Cllr Udall, who took out his measuring tape to emphasise his point, said he really feared for the safety of pedestrians as “large vehicles thundered past them at speed.”

The Labour councillor has called the county council “out of touch” and putting the needs of drivers before pedestrians.

He said: “I always opposed the proposals for St John’s, for many reasons, including the idea to narrow the footpaths, but now I have seen what has been done I am even more angry.

“We have been left with a ribbon of footpath, a sliver of what was previously present, it’s in one of the most used pedestrian parts of St John’s; outside a fish and chip shop and the main path from St John’s to Cripplegate Park.

“It’s hardly wide enough for two people to pass, it’s certainly not wide enough for wheelchairs and motorised scooters. The county council is reducing the space for pedestrians at a time when we are being encouraged by government to socially distance ourselves.

“The new footpath is far too narrow and is possibly become a danger to pedestrians and other users. I really fear for the safety of pedestrians, large vehicles will thunder past them at speed, their safe route to cross the road has also been removed, it’s a shambles. We should be opening up St John’s for pedestrians and cyclists, not closing it down.

“The whole scheme has simply not been thought out properly, it has been dominated by the desire to make space for cars, but it has been done at the expense of all others.

“The County Council has shown a blatant disregard for pedestrian safety, all in their outdated obsession to promote and encourage car use. No consideration or consultation has taken place with shop owners, pedestrians, cyclists or bus users. They have dismissed all opposition and ridiculed any alternative suggestions.

“They are out of touch and have no regard for needs of local businesses and residents. The disruption has been significant and we are going to have to pay a huge price for very little or no gain.

“St. John’s residents I have spoken to are shocked and amazed at the narrow footpaths, many have also said they don’t like the new paving, especially wheelchair users who tell me the new paving is uncomfortable for them. It’s plain and simple, the county council have got it all wrong, they have the wrong priorities, they have produced the wrong solutions and they have imposed the wrong design.”

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “The St John’s scheme is designed to reduce congestion for all users in the local area by removing pinch-points, updating traffic signals and improving pedestrian crossing facilities, foot ways and street furniture. All individual aspects of the county council’s town/city centre improvement schemes have to meet centrally required standards, before work can begin.

“We can confirm that there are a number of changes to foot ways as part of the scheme, and we appreciate residents’ concerns regarding maintaining social distancing during the Coronavirus pandemic. The footway mentioned has been slightly narrowed but there are other sections of footway being lengthened as part of the scheme.

“We continue to engage with local businesses to ensure they are continually updated of our plans. We will continue to ensure that pedestrian access to residential properties and businesses will be maintained at all times. We’ve responded to the feedback received from residents and traders as the scheme progresses, many of whom have been very understanding of the current situation and the benefits this scheme will bring to the shopping experience in St John’s once the scheme has been completed.”