Directory

Access tools

Set Text size

A

|

A

|

A

Set Contrast

A

|

A

|

A

Text only
Translation
Listen

News

Watch your Shrubbery!

The Borough of Poole's Disabled Design Group have again launched an appeal for residents to wield their pruners to keep over-hanging vegetation at bay. Footpaths which are obstructed can be a hazard for people who are visually impaired, so urgent action is needed to avoid the risk of injury.

Richard Moore, a member of the Design Group who is blind, said: "Walking on pavements is something most people do every day without thinking. Trees and bushes which overhang walls and fences can simply be avoided but this is not the case for anyone who is visually impaired and can cause real problems".

Teresa Brown, Travel Awareness Officer, said, "We are asking residents to make regular inspections of their gardens and give any wayward shrubbery a trim so that everyone can walk safely on the pavement and avoid potentially dangerous accidents. Householders may be liable if any vegetation from their property, which overhangs a public footpath, causes an injury to a pedestrian."

"We are also encouraging local people to keep an eye out for other potential hazards such as advertising boards, illegally parked cars, bicycles lying on the ground and dog excrement all of which cause unacceptable problems for everyone, especially people with sight problems."

The Borough of Poole's Disabled Design Group includes local residents with a range of disabilities who have become an essential and integral part of the Borough's planning and design process for public roads and footways.

Terri Brown, Transportation Services, Tel (01202) 262043