Fishergate Central Gateway - Concept Informing Event - Equality Groups

Cabinet Room C, County Hall, Preston

27th February 2013, 14:00 – 16:00

Raised by / Comments/Question
Visual Impairment Forum / Importance of kerb edges for people with sight problems.
We need to ensure there is adequate time dedicated to researching and addressing concerns raised by the groups represented at the meeting.
Is the bus route to remain?
Are feeder streets going to remain?
Are there going to be any designated crossing points?
We could help in putting together an audio map together (post implementation). Minimal cost.
Disability Forum / Assume we are using brick style paving – this gets damaged more easily (bus route, scooters).
What about the tram scheme in Preston?
Street furniture – issues and restrictions around these at the moment.
If we are considering designated crossing points could they incorporate new technology (spinny things)
Galloway's Society for the Blind / Winckley Street incorporates some elements of the shared space concept – what has the feedback been?
Elements are also incorporated in a scheme in Morecambe. It’s far too complicated.
RNIB / We need to consider how blind or partially sighted people will be able to negotiate crossing the road without designated crossing points.
We should encourage cycling more but without cycle lanes they can cause blind or partially sighted people issues.
Guide Dogs / We welcome the scheme but we need to ensure any consultation is meaningful.
Consultation in Cheshire wasn’t meaningful at all.
We request a level of equality in relation to what is actually put in place.
We need recognised controlled crossing points so that we can cross safely.
We need good contrast between vehicle and pavement areas. Tactile paving can be used as reference points, but you need to be able to know where you are and where you want to be.
Guide dogs are trained to stop at the kerb. In Poynton it’s difficult with the 25mm kerb. There needs to be a solid demarcation at some appropriate level so that it can be used as a guiding point for people with sight problems.
Tactile paving needs to be more than just cosmetic. There needs to be accessibility considerations too.
NW Disability forum / There needs to be a distinction between the kerb and the road itself so you know when to cross and when not to.
We need to restrict traffic movement on Fishergate anyway. He gave the example of Hereford where 50/60mm kerbs were too high. It’s especially difficult for wheelchair users. He volunteered to look at samples.
Try it blindfolded – request to designers.
You are encouraging a cafe culture and people eating outside but this takes up valuable pavement space and makes it even harder for people with sight problems.
Current LCC policy states that tactile paving can only be used at controlled crossing points.
LCC need to keep talking to us if this is going to be meaningful consultation. This will have a huge impact on users. Can we have a task force
Deafway / We talk about removing signage but signs do help people with hearing problems. We do need to simplify the signage we have though. Police kiosk works well to signpost people in the city centre.
Various / We want to have an ongoing dialogue.
We want to create a space that can be enjoyed by all.
Stoke example given – they liked that – black and yellow worked well.
We welcome change and are accepting of compromise.
It would be helpful to have ongoing dialogue with LCC even after the scheme has been implemented.

LCC / Project Attendees:

CC Carolyn Evans – LCC Disability Champion

Shaun Capper –LCC Assistant Director Lancashire Highways Services

Anne-Marie Parkinson – LCC Senior Projects Officer (ED / ERDF)

Safika Munshi – LCC Communications Account Manager

Jeanette Binns – LCC Equality and Cohesion Manager

Ben Hamilton-Baillie – BHB Associates

Lindsey Humblet – Plant IE

Hannes – Plant IE

Equality Groups Representatives:

Tony Cook – Guide Dogs

Stuart Clayton & Bob Mills - Galloways

David Hynes - Deafway

Peter Titterington & Des Butler–Disability Equality NW

Georgina Joyce & David HinchcliffeCWA Downey – LVIF

Lucille Corrigan – Action for Blind People

Jackie Nelson – East Lancashire Learning Disability Board

Alex Neary - Lancs Physical Disability Partnership

Lindsay Armstrong – RNIB

Paul Challinor / Laurence Mason – East Lancashire Deaf Society

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