Hertsmere MP takes part in blind walk along main street to raise awareness of Guide Dogs for Blind Association.

Oliver Dowden, Hertsmere MP, took part in the blindness and sight loss simulation event along Shenley Road, Borehamwood, last week.

He had to navigate the road wearing a full blind fold that simulated sight loss. He was guided by a guide dog one way and blind stick the other way. The purpose of the event was to highlight the huge challenges that people with those conditions face.

Mr Dowden said: "Shenley Road is a very different and much more intimidating place when you try to walk down it with no sight and guided only by a dog.

"It brought home to me the challenges faced by those with sight loss conditions and the invaluable lifeline provided to them by guide dogs. In particular it is clear that more needs to be done to deter obstacles such as a-frame signs and cars parked on pavements - these are serious obstacles for the visually impaired.

"It also highlighted the need for a safe crossing somewhere along Shenley Road to make it accessible to blind people and I will be raising all these matters with Hertsmere Borough Council.

"I pay tribute to the efforts and dedication of everyone working at the association in their work to ensure people who are blind or partially sighted can enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else."

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association was founded in 1934 to provide people suffering from sight-loss with well-trained guide dogs.

Their work has expanded significantly since their foundation and now includes campaigns to protect the rights of those with sight conditions and the funding of research to find cures to eye related diseases.

Cllr Morris Bright, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, said:“I am very interested to read about Oliver’s experiences and clearly we want to do all we can, as a borough council, to ensure that disabled pedestrians and shoppers have an enjoyable and safe experience in all our shopping areas across Hertsmere.  

"As a borough council, we do not have direct control over the highways and pavements or the siting of highways crossings as this is overseen by Hertfordshire Highways.  

"However, I will speak to Oliver further about this in both my capacity as a borough and county councillor to find out more about his visit and what action could be taken to make things better for disabled users."