Time to get on the right path to safer streets

27/09/2019 |

The Commons Transport Committee has called for a nationwide ban on pavement parking, highlighting the impact on people with visual and mobility impairments. Clive Wood (pictured), policy and campaigns manager at Guide Dogs, tells Highways first-hand about his commute, with and without guide dog Winnie (also pictured), and the streetscape features that help and hinder his journey.

I start my working day with the regular walk from home to the train station. A journey of about 15 minutes.

There is a shorter way but there are parts of that route with no footpath. Pavements are so important in allowing me to have independent safe mobility and feel reassured as I am less likely to encounter vehicles.

I leave my home, usually accompanied by Winnie, my guide dog. We are both very familiar with the route although this doesn’t discount coming across some unexpected challenges. One good example is vehicles parked on the pavement.

Walking to the end of my road I come to a controlled crossing, which I use to cross a busy road. Having the tactile surface across the path helps me find the crossing point. The audible signal on the crossing gives me the cue to cross.

When reaching the opposite side of the road I immediately take a right turn and begin a walk up to the next junction. This pavement does have several signposts along its length, some of which are in the centre of the path. These signposts are not laid consistently along the pavement.

Winnie guides me through the obstacle course of posts, although when I use my white cane instead it’s not so easy. There are a couple of side roads off this road that have no kerb for me to identify these junctions.

More times than not, Winnie will stop at these junctions although it is not so easy with my cane. At the top of the road I reach a busy junction with traffic coming from several directions. I use two controlled crossings to navigate this junction. There’s no audible signal on either crossing but the rotating cones on the control boxes do tell me when it’s safe to cross.

Up the hill from here takes me to the next busy road crossing. Before reaching this point there are another couple of side roads to cross, which do not have a kerb or tactile surface to help me identify them. I reach the top of the road and a tactile surface, which runs across the whole footpath, lets me know that I’m at the safest point to cross this busy road.

This is an uncontrolled crossing so it’s a matter of listening out for a break in the traffic, to allow me to cross safely or an offer of help from a kind person passing by.

Over to the island and across the second part of this busy road. The final leg of my journey to the station does include a shared footpath for pedestrians and cyclists – probably one of the more nerve-racking parts of this journey for me.

There’s no tactile marking on the path to let me know if I am safely away from the cycle side of the path. As I approach the station, I cross an open space, which has no distinctive cues or clues to help me keep on the right line to the station entrance. A tactile guiding surface would be great, particularly when I’m using my cane and not Winnie.

To sum up, for me, the key elements to safe independent mobility are; consistency in the layout of the routes – i.e. signposts and street furniture – clutter-free routes along pavements, traditional kerbs, safe road crossing points and correctly placed tactile surfaces

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

UGO bus Coordinator

£26357.00 - £31008.00 per annum + pension
UGO bus CoordinatorPermanent, Full Time£26,357 to £31,008 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Head of Highways Contracts & Network

£81,803 progressing to £90,664 per annum
This role is fundamental to the success of the Highways Service. Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Senior Civil Engineer - Major Projects x 4

£45,894.00 - £54,952.00
We are looking for experienced engineers to help us progress a number of key projects and programmes Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Technician - Maintenance

£31001.0000 - £36471.0000 per annum
Essex Highways is responsible for managing and maintaining one of the largest highway networks in the country
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Highways Contract Engineer

£46,731 - £49,764
The team helps provide a safe road network that operates efficiently and effectively.  Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner

£46,731 - £49,764 (pro-rata)
We are looking for an experienced professional to join us on a six-month temporary contact as a Principal Transport Planner. Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Highways Maintenance Operative Broughton, Brigg
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Highways Contracts & Network

£81,803 progressing to £90,664 per annum
The team includes approximately 60 directly employed HCC people Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Principal Construction Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Principal Construction Manager Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Quality Technician

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Quality Technician Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)

£42679.0000 - £50211.0000 per annum
Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)Permanent, Full Time£43,960 to £51,718 per annum*Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Project Manager (Major Projects)

£44,711 - £47,754
Are you an experienced project professional or engineer with looking to take the next step in your career? Halifax, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Senior Civil Engineer - Roads

£45,894 - £54,952
Are you an experienced engineer looking to support the Scottish Government’s national objectives. Scotland
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Project Team Manager

£55,147 to £60,676 per annum
We are pleased to be able to offer an opportunity for a role as Design Team Manager Norwich, Norfolk
Recruiter: Norfolk County Council

Clerk of Works

GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Assistant Projects Engineer

GRADE 06 (£29,093 - £32,654),GRADE 07 (£33,366 - £37,035), GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Traffic Management

£45,718 - £48,710 per annum
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. Bath, Somerset
Recruiter: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Vehicle Technician - Improver

£28,624 - £30,060
Transport Services is responsible for all aspects of transport and related services Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Programme Delivery Office Administrator

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services to make them fit for the future Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Support Officer - Highways Asset Management Systems

£31,586 - £34,314
We are a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to maintaining and improving our highway infrastructure. Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW