Visually impaired residents demand ‘dangerous’ pavement be made safe

BLIND and visually impaired residents are calling for action to make the high pavement area on Bank Street safe for all.

 The area, which in some places has a drop of 3ft onto the main road, has been described as ‘dangerous’, ‘frightening’ and ‘a nightmare’ for people living with visual impairment.

They are demanding that safety measures – such as railings along the entire course of the pavement, or tactile paving to indicate where the edge of the pavement is – be installed to reduce the risk of accidents.

Local woman Barbara Buckle, who is registered as blind, told Melksham News, “The high pavement on Bank Street needs railings! When walking along there I feel very frightened and vulnerable as I can’t be sure of where the edge of the pavement is. And it is particularly frightening when people on mobility vehicles, which take up a lot of the pavement, need to get by.

“Wiltshire Council are installing railings on the bridge in the town centre – why can’t they do the same for Bank Street?”

In agreement, local resident Alan Whetherly, who is also the sight advisor for local charity Wiltshire Sight said, “From my perspective it is dangerous. I am reliant on my guide dog Judy, but had I not a guide dog, I would be using my cane – I always feel nervous up at that top bit on Bank Street, as there is nothing to indicate that there is a sheer drop down onto the road.

“I know that I am on a upper level, but there is no tactile paving to heighten the edge of the pavement, or make it obvious where the edge is – which is something someone using a cane would benefit from. It’s not acceptable – you need to have your wits about you.

“And if that area is icy, and you are visually impaired, trying to manoeuvre around that area is difficult. It is also difficult when it’s dark as there is a lack of colour contrast between the pavement and the road.

“I know that they are putting railings on the bridge – railings on Bank Street would really help visually impaired people and also sighted people.

“My personal view, and the view of Wiltshire Sight is that we would like there to be a safe pathway along Bank Street.”

Caroline Fielding, who is registered as blind and relies on a guide dog, told Melksham News, “It’s an absolutely nightmare, it’s terrifying walking along there. I actually had to have special training to make sure I could navigate that area as it is a real hazard – that was training with my guide dog Mike, and when I had my white cane training. 

“When I was using my white cane, it was a real possibility that I might fall off it. You have to concentrate to read the messages being received through the cane – this can be tiring and mistakes can happen.

“Railings are needed – 100%. I don’t think tactile paving would be enough. Railings would be much safer. It’s scary to walk along there as you can’t see the edge of the pavement – you worry that you might fall off. I try to stay as close as I can to the shops, away from the edge. But it is a fear of mine, that one day a pedestrian or mobility scooter coming the other way might force me closer to the edge.”

In support, a volunteer from Chippenham Talking Newspapers, who produce Melksham Talking Newspaper (the audio version of Melksham News), has challenged local councillors to ‘walk a mile’ in the shoes of visually impaired residents.

Volunteer Alan Scotford said, “Perhaps local councillors will blindfold themselves and then take up the challenge to walk, unsighted, along that section of Bank Street and experience the fear that those who have a permanent sight impairment know every time they attempt to walk there.  

“Then to go on to take the necessary steps, through council proceedings, to make sure that section of pavement is completely safe for all who walk along it.”

In response to the concerns, town clerk for the town council, Linda Roberts, told Melksham News, “This topic has come up several times. Wiltshire’s response  is that the edge of the high pavement is not strong enough, due to it being built over old basements, and would not support the weight of any railings.  

“A few years ago Wiltshire Council was asked to resurface the length and they were, “only able to resurface with grit”, because of the unstable situation of the pavement.  The sub strata of the high pavement is very poor and according to Wiltshire Council will not take the weight of barriers etc. 

“Obviously I wasn’t here when this has been discussed in the past, but it looks like it has been brought to the attention of Wiltshire Council by the town council.  I will add the subject of the high pavement to the agenda of our next economic development and planning committee for discussion.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said, “We will look into this issue and it could be considered for discussion by the local community area transport group.

“We welcome local communities telling us where they believe highways improvements could be made, however we have not received any recent feedback or concerns regarding Bank Street.”