Blind Kirkintilloch campaigner calls on Holyrood to ban "shared space schemes"
A blind Kirkintilloch man is urging the Scottish Parliament to ban so-called "Shared Space Schemes" which he says discriminate against people with disabilities, dementia suffers and the infirm.
A blind Kirkintilloch man is urging the Scottish Parliament to ban so-called "Shared Space Schemes" which he says discriminate against people with disabilities, dementia sufferers and the infirm. Sandy Taylor who uses a cane believes the designs which blur the lines between pedestrians and motorists make it impossible for blind, partially-sighted and deaf people to get around safely. Sandy initially began protesting a similar scheme being brought in in Kirkintilloch but is now calling for a nationwide moratoriam on the schemes which he believes exclude many people from town centres, breaching the Equality Act and making it difficult to access essential services. Shared Space Schemes involve removing marked pavements and kerbs, pedestrian crossings, traffic signs and traffic lights often aiming to reduce traffic.
He's been speaking to our reporter Lizzie Parker:
Proponents of the schemes say they make areas safer and more accessible by making the space more open to pedestrians and slowing and reducing traffic.
But East Dunbartonshire Council maintain the new plans are not a shared space although they are "guided by similar design philosophies."
Councillor Rhondda Geekie, Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, said: "The Masterplan has been specifically designed to make the town centre more accessible and attractive for everyone - shoppers, traders, residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.
"We will strike a new balance between pedestrians, cyclists and drivers by removing street clutter, narrowing carriageways, widening footways and reducing traffic speed. "It's important to note that the Masterplan will make the town centre more accessible - not less.
"I would stress that there will still be controlled crossings and traffic lights - both in Catherine Street and Kerr Street, in addition to courtesy crossings throughout Cowgate - which reflect how pedestrians currently move through the Cowgate."
"It would be easy to sit back and do nothing, but that is not an option - action is needed to protect and rejuvenate Kirkintilloch town centre.