大象传媒

A blind woman who lives just outside Chelmsford says she has been told she can't have a guide dog because a pavement nearby is too overgrown.

Janice Parker was registered blind in November 2020, and her GP recommended a referral to Guide Dogs UK.

But visits from Guide Dog UK found that the pavements immediately outside the residential park she lives on - in Bakers Lane, just south of Galleywood - would be unsuitable for a guide dog due to the overgrown bushes, and the fact guide dogs won't step out on roads.

A spokesperson for Essex Highways said: 鈥淲e are sorry to hear about the inconvenience to Ms Parker. The location was inspected recently and at the moment we are looking into whether the vegetation in question falls under our jurisdiction or is on privately owned land, as this will have a bearing on the solution to the issue. If the land is owned by us we will prioritise the matter accordingly, however, if the vegetation is from privately owned land it will be the landowner鈥檚 responsibility to cut it back.鈥�

Guide Dogs UK have also issued a statement from their Senior Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager, Chris Theobald:

鈥淲e鈥檙e not able to comment on individual applications for a guide dog, however when we make our assessments we take many factors into account, including the local environment. In cases where the applicant鈥檚 regular routes would be unsuitable for a guide dog, we may not be able to offer them a partnership. Guide dogs need space to work, and very narrow pavements combined with obstacles such as masts or other street clutter can force guide dogs and their owner out into road repeatedly, potentially causing a real risk to their safety.

鈥淏locked and damaged pavements are sadly all too common a problem for people with sight loss around the country. This is why we continue to campaign for a law on pavement parking, for better street design, and for people to be considerate and ensure hedges are cut back and wheelie bins are removed from paths.

鈥淚n the cases where we can鈥檛 offer a guide dog partnership, we will always try to find other solutions that can help someone with sight loss. This could be through whether additional mobility and long cane training, or through our other means of support.鈥�

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