PRESS RELEASE
Issued by Jill Allen-King MBE, NFBUK Public Relations Officer
Tel: 01702 477899  Mobile:  07850 515100


BLIND PEOPLE SUPPORT GUIDE DOGS' LEGAL ACTION

The National Federation of the Blind welcomes the action taken by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to take legal action against the Royal London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Over 70 members of the Federation, supported by other organisations supporting the 'Stop Shared Streets' campaign, travelled from all parts of the country on 24 September to demonstrate outside the offices of the Council.

Despite sending letters to the Council, not one of them has replied to our protest.

The Federation knows that where these shared streets have been introduced in many parts of Europe, they are "no go" areas for blind people.

All pedestrians need safe pavements to walk on and pedestrian crossings to cross on.

Jill Allen-King, MBE, who is totally blind and has a guide dog, says that some members of the Federation have been successful in stopping such dangerous schemes in many parts of the country, and will continue to campaign until all pavements and crossings are retained, and, where they have been removed, such as in Ashford in Kent, and in Warwick, will fight to have them put back.

For further information contact Jill Allen-King MBE, Public Relations Officer on any of the above numbers.

26 October 2009