The Council intend having a meeting of the Development and Regeneration Committee on 24th March 2015.regarding the changes to the town re "Shared Space". We feel that this will be 'Rubber Stamped.'. The changes , will include removal of the railings and traffic lights from the Library to, and including, the" Catherine St Junction."This will make it extremely difficult for blind and visually impaired people, disabled, elderly and young families and children to negotiate the crossing.
. The concept is that 'an element of danger will be implemented which will make people more aware crossing the road'. Also drivers and pedestrians will rely on eye contact with each other to allow for priority. Blind people cannot make eye contact. Children do not often look where they are going.
Similar schemes have been implemented elsewhere and one of the examples hailed as a success by the Planners, at their exhibition in "Wheel nuts" Kirkintilloch, was Coventry. A blind man was knocked down on 10th January 2012 and killed by a bus in the Coventry crossing .
Question
Was the he research by the Council non existent, flawed or without academic integrity?? There have been accidents in other towns with this type of 'Shared Space' crossing, these include :-Kensington London,and Southend. The list is not exhaustive
If you go to East Dunbartonshire Access Panel facebook page, you will find more research information.
The Council have this information.
Question
Have they taken it into account, or, are they ignoring it??