MP BACKS STREET CROSSING TO HELP THE BLIND (Eastleigh Liberal Democrats)

Eastleigh Liberal Democrats <enquiries@eastleighlibdems.org.uk>

MP BACKS STREET CROSSING TO HELP THE BLIND

October 6, 2009 12:00 AM

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne has backed a street crossing in Twyford Road, Eastleigh to enable partially sighted and blind residents to cross to the shops.

Mr Huhne visited Meadowbank, the sheltered accommodation for the visually impaired run by Seeability on Twyford Road, to hear about the problems of the eight residents.

Mr Huhne is pictured here with Cllr Chris Thomas, service manager Sarah Andrews and senior rehabilitation practitioner David Light with equipment that gives an idea of the experience of being near-blind facing a busy road.

Chris Huhne said: "It is a revelation how little you can see and hear even on a busy road like Twyford Road, but with a little help from a crossing the Meadowbank residents could cope on their own.

"One in twelve people over 65 suffer sight problems, and 1 in 6 over 75, so we need to be much more sensitive about the easy things that can be done to improve their quality of life" said Chris.

David Light said: "We need a crossing because visual impairment is the hidden disability, and a crossing would increase people's independence".

Seeability operates homes and support networks along the South Coast, and is a 200 year old charity originally set up as the Royal School for the Blind. Seeability employs 40 people working from Meadowbank providing support not just in the sheltered accommodation but in outreach services across the South Hampshire area.