Campaign for Less Street Hazards for Blind People

A third of blind and partially sighted people surveyed by sight loss charity RNIB said they had been injured by pavement obstacles when walking outside. Some felt so intimidated they ended up staying isolated in their homes.

Launching a new Street Charter campaign, the charity said thousands of people with sight loss face challenges getting around their local area every day.

Advertising boards, bollards, bins, cars parked on pavements and 'shared space' schemes were the most common obstacles encountered.

Sandra Wilson, chair of RNIB Scotland who is blind, said: "Personally, I have frequent encounters with advertising boards, bins and badly parked cars - and recently almost broke a couple of teeth on what appeared to be a jutting out railing.

"Paradoxically, pedestrian precincts are particularly hazardous as the absence of vehicles seems to attract even more street furniture."

RNIB Scotland is calling for local authorities to review their policies in relation to the most common obstacles, and engage with blind and partially sighted residents to put accessibility at the heart of local planning.

The Street Charter, as proposed by RNIB, would see councils and local campaigners with sight loss agree on the actions to take.

Over 180,000 people in Scotland live with a significant level of sight loss.