A TILEHURST resident has launched a petition seeking safer roads for people with visual impairments.
Chris Owen is calling on councillors in Reading and West Berkshire to review roads in the town to make them safer and easier to navigate for people with sight loss.
Mr Owen was diagnosed with a rare form of macular disease around six years ago, which led to his registration as having severe sight impairment in 2021.
As a result, he had to get around on foot, using a cane until he took charge of Chester, his guide dog, last year.
One of the issues he faces when navigating is finding safe places to cross the road, particularly in the absence of zebra or pelican crossings.
He says that this is especially so in Tilehurst, where he lives, and has a “significant impact on [his] ability to lead an independent life,” due to a number of busy commuter routes.
He argues many of the traffic management systems haven’t been updated for decades, with no provision for the increased numbers of residents and commuters in recent years.
He has launched a petition not only calling for changes to road safety measures, but also inviting councillors to experience some of the challenges faced by visually-impaired people.
This includes particularly busy parts of Tilehurst, such as Hilden’s Drive, Lower Elmstone Drive, and Overdown Road, where he posits there is “nowhere safe to cross without a diversion of up to 2 miles.”
He proposes councillors make use of goggles which simulate levels of sight-loss to help understand the way that people with visual impairment navigate roads and crossings in Reading.
He also publicises the impact of sight-loss on people and raises awareness of relevant conditions through his online profile, Blind Man with a Backpack, and also acts as an ambassador for Berkshire Vision.
His work sees him visit community groups to share his experiences as well as the kinds of support that Berkshire Vision can provide.
In his petition, he says: “As a visually impaired person, I have often attempted to cross these roads to get to Tilehurst Triangle and have stood for up to 10 minutes waiting for a large enough gap in the traffic.
“As well as the impact on visually impaired people like myself, other disabled people such as wheelchair users are equally impacted by the lack of dropped kerbs to use and many parents must put themselves and their children at risk each day during the school run.”
He explains: “Unless these roads are improved, many disabled adults, young people and children are robbed of being able to live independent lives as we must rely on others to do things most people take for granted and, in worst case, there may be a serious accident.
“For me, I am unable to get to my doctor’s surgery, the pet shop or even go for a cup of coffee without putting myself and my guide dog at risk, simply because there is nowhere I can safely cross a road.
“So I therefore invite representatives from Reading and West Berkshire councils to join me and put on a pair of simulation goggles and see if they feel safe to step into traffic and then to work with the local disability groups to identify ways to improve the safety of all pedestrians.”
Full details about the petition for improved road safety are available via: change.org/search?q=”safe crossing points in tilehurst”
