Share options on the street

As more councils around the country consider putting vehicles and pedestrians together, Helen Smith asks whether there are any arguments in favour for disabled people

Last November I wrote about the growing trend by councils to develop their town centres as “shared surfaces”. The plan is that these will reduce the dominance of vehicles and make them more people-friendly.

So far the main view coming from the disability sector is that this type of street design is detrimental to the confidence and independence of disabled people, especially those who are blind and partially sighted. This is because disabled people find it harder to get out of the way of traffic and guide-dog owners and cane users need a kerb to navigate. But is this the only viewpoint coming from disabled people?

The charity Guide Dogs have been instrumental in leading a campaign against the shared surface scheme on Exhibition Road in Kensington, west London. Guide Dogs spokesman David Cowdrey said: “They want a single surface at any cost. The whole point of the design is that you make eye contact [with drivers]. If you have learning difficulties or are visually impaired you’ll have difficulty.”

But not all visually impaired people are against shared surfaces. Nominated Access Champion of the Exhibition Road scheme is Cllr Andrew Lamont. He says “Guide Dogs are caught up with the idea of shared surfaces, but it’s a single surface, not shared between traffic and people. We’ve got to have fairness for all disability groups. As a visually impaired person I know it will be fabulous.”

Currently Cllr Lamont’s view is pretty unique amongst disabled people. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) have raised serious concerns about this type of street design and Arthritis Care have also stated that they think people with arthritis would feel more vulnerable surrounded by cycles and vehicles moving at high speed.

As a mobility impaired person I share the concern raised by Arthritis Care that I would feel vulnerable with bikes whizzing past me but my greatest concern is how quickly and easily I could move out of the path of a moving bus. If I was using a wheelchair I would also be concerned that drivers would not be able to see me. However, a shared surface scheme which allowed me to drive my car down it and park close to where I needed to shop would allow me far more access than a pedestrianised scheme where all vehicles are banned. For me being able to park close to my destination is the most important thing.

With so many concerns regarding shared surfaces The Department for Transport has commissioned a consultancy company to carry out some research. The aim of the research will be to try and define some design guidance to highway authorities and others developing shared surface schemes. I recently attended one of the sounding board meetings and was interested to learn that research has shown that shared surfaces can be good for Blue Badge holders as they can park in the zones. There is also no evidence that these schemes increase or decrease casualty rates but one report did show that shared surface schemes have more conflicts, but of lower severity and less likely to result in injury. This research project will run until February 2011 leaving plenty more time for discussion.

However, with more towns and cities planning these schemes guidance is urgently required to ensure that street design doesn’t impede disabled people from enjoying their towns and cities.