Council installs dimpled pavement so blind people can cross into four lanes of traffic

A council was criticised yesterday for installing a dimpled pavement where blind people can cross the road – into FOUR LANES of traffic.

The bumpy slabs – known as ‘tactile paving’ – are commonly used to signify a safe crossing place for the blind and partially sighted.

But the site in Fishponds, Bristol, has no pedestrian crossing and leads walkers straight onto a four-lane carriageway in front of a bus stop.

Local resident Phil Tattum, 31, said he had witnessed near misses between blind people and vehicles.

The marketing promoter said: ”I saw a blind man heading into four lanes of traffic because of the paving.

”It is right by a bus stop so if someone who is blind or partially sighted gets off a bus they will think it is a safe place to cross.

”The tactile paving is supposed to indicate a change in road surface or a safe place to cross.”

A spokeswoman for the Royal National Institute of Blind People said the pavement could be ”very misleading” and was ”potentially very dangerous”.

She said: ”Tactile paving is important because it tells a blind or partially sighted person where to cross a road or junction.

”It should lead up to a dropped kerb and if laid at a pedestrian crossing it should have a tail alerting people it’s a safe place to cross.

”Tactile paving can also be used at steps to make a person aware that there is a danger ahead.”

Kate Hartas, a spokeswoman for Bristol City Council, said the paving was in the processed of being reviewed.

She said: ”The dropped kerbs are currently being reviewed.

”Whilst they have been installed in line with the current guidance, the council agrees that this arrangement is potentially confusing for visually impaired people.”