RADICAL proposals to transform the precincts around one of the most famous streets in Scotland risk barring blind and partially sighted people from the area, a charity has claimed.
RNIB Scotland said it is so concerned about the plans for Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow it is challenging councillors to try out its plan for a cycleway between the pavement and bus-stops, calling it "an accident waiting to happen".
Read more: Rosemary Goring - Can anyone halt the relentless destruction of Edinburgh?
The charity is inviting Glasgow councillors to take part in a short walk across a mock-up of a cycleway in George Square wearing special spectacles that simulate sight loss conditions.
Glasgow City Council said it has carried out extensive consultation on the plan and to tackle concerns over the bus stop plan it will carry out "surface treatment on the cycle lane at bus shelters to raise awareness of other road users" for crossing.
The council said it is unaware if any individual councillors will take up the challenge.
Catriona Burness, campaigns manager with RNIB Scotland, said the charity welcomed the move to upgrade Sauchiehall Street but "remain very concerned about this particular aspect of the proposal".
Read more: Rosemary Goring - Can anyone halt the relentless destruction of Edinburgh?
She said: “People with a visual impairment aren’t going to feel safe traversing a busy cycleway, while cyclists may also be endangered if they don’t realise a pedestrian stepping out in front of them who can’t see them.
"It’s an accident waiting to happen.
“RNIB Scotland is calling on Glasgow City Council to either move the cycleway to the south-side of the street, so that pedestrians aren’t forced to cross it to get to a bus, or ensure there is a more distinct separation between the cycleway and the footpath, not the 400mm of ‘corrugated’ paving proposed.
"We’d also like audio-crossing signals to be positioned along the street.
“Rather than creating a ‘no go’ area for blind people, the regeneration of the Sauchiehall Street area should be consistent with the needs of all street users.”
Read more: Rosemary Goring - Can anyone halt the relentless destruction of Edinburgh?
A council spokesman said: “We have been, and continue to be, in dialogue with a range of bodies, including mobility groups and groups working with blind and partially sighted people, over the design and construction of the Avenues project on Sauchiehall Street.
"As a result of this dialogue and the input we have received, the design of the project has evolved to meet the needs of as many people as possible.
"The council recognises that the needs of those most vulnerable on our roads must be considered as a key part of the public realm design process.”
Read more: Rosemary Goring - Can anyone halt the relentless destruction of Edinburgh?
One example of this is the significant reduction in street ‘clutter’ in the new Avenue on Sauchiehall Street, bringing benefits to people with sight and/or mobility issues, the council said.
The council added that the initial is a pilot scheme that is subject to revision, with consultation having taken place with residents, community groups, businesses and business organisations and academic institutions over the past two years
Additional sessions were carried out with various vulnerable user groups including the RNIB, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Glasgow City Council Sensory Impairment Unit in an effort to identify further improvements that could be incorporated into the designs,
Read more: Rosemary Goring - Can anyone halt the relentless destruction of Edinburgh?
Officers were able to attend workshops chaired by the Glasgow Disability Alliance, and throughout the preparation for the work to take place officials have reviewed proposed designs, the council added.
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