THE leader of a sight loss charity has spoken of the challenges and dangers facing blind people in the city centre, including the risk of injury.

We reported last week how Rachel Foylan, who is registered blind, had to navigate an 'assault course' every time she went out in Worcester city centre.

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She fought back tears as she described obstacles and hazards and how she fears she or others will be hurt or killed. 

Worcester News: BRAVE: Rachel Foylan with husband Jim who have spoken out about the difficulties faced by blind people in Worcester BRAVE: Rachel Foylan with husband Jim who have spoken out about the difficulties faced by blind people in Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Obstacles include A-boards, people on scooters and bikes and tables and chairs for al fresco dining which, the 69-year-old of Chatcombe Drive, Warndon, believes has increased since the pandemic.

Anne Eyre, chief executive officer of Sight Concern Worcestershire based in The Bradbury Centre, Sansome Walk, said: "Rachel's challenges when out and about are experienced by many other blind or partially sighted people on a daily basis.

"A recent national survey found that 30 per cent of people with a vision impairment had been injured by walking into street furniture in the last twelve months.

"For example, we recently spoke to a blind person who had walked into a large hazard sign warning driver about ice which had been placed in the middle of the pavement.

"This very nearly resulted in her falling into one of the busiest roads in Worcester."

Parked cars and wheelie bins also made pavements impassable.

"We know people walk into wheelie bins which are left in the middle of the pavement when they have been emptied.

"We even heard from one man who walked into a charging cable for an electric vehicle which was suspended across the pavement, making it impossible to pick it up with a guide cane.

"Currently, a particular concern to the people we work with are shared pedestrian and cycle routes; one person told us how they had collided with a cyclist and then told it was their fault for not moving out of the way of a cycle they could not see."

However, she also said Sight Concern recognised the challenges faced by the hospitality and retail sectors and welcomes a vibrant city centre.

"It is important that cafe culture is welcoming to all, rather than creating an assault course for the nearly 3,500 blind or partially sighted people living in Worcester.

"Simple steps, such as always putting street furniture in the same place, ensuring that there is a clear and wide thoroughfare and being considerate of others when cycling, using scooters and parking make a huge difference.

Councillor Mike Rouse, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Worcestershire County Council said: “We would like to thank Rachel for reporting the difficulties she’s encountered in Worcester City Centre, and would like to liaise with her further on this. We will also arrange for an officer to undertake a site visit within Worcester City and inspect the areas highlighted that are not privately owned to ensure any safety issues are dealt with accordingly.

"We work closely with our partners in Worcestershire to ensure that we address all safety issues, whilst balancing our open for business priorities."

 

Help 

Issues can be reported via https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20978/tell_us_about_road_or_highway_issues

Anyone who would like support with living with sight loss is welcome to contact Sight Concern Worcestershire on 01905 723245 or email info@sightconcern.co.uk