PICTURES: MP walks town centre partially-sighted
Mr Loughton joined the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Worthing Society for the Blind (WSB) on Friday (January 20) to attempt to walk around Worthing town centre partially-sighted.
He walked down Warwick Street wearing goggles which simulate partial sight and was armed with a white cain.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe said: “The advertising boards out on the street pose a problem to the partially sighted because they can’t see them until they are on top of them.
“I must admit, I don’t know the current law on them but I know in Shoreham they must be within a distance to the shop. This is something which could be implemented here.
“We will have a word with the Worthing Town Centre Initiative to see if there is something we can do about this issue.”
Mr Loughton was joined by WSB member Barrie Smith, 66, who is partially sighted.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMr Smith added: “I would love for advertising boards to be banned in Worthing. I can’t read them anyway so they are no good to me.”
Terry Dowty, campaign officer for RNIB South East, wants Worthing to follow in the footsteps of Portsmouth and York and ban advertising boards altogether.
She said: “We should not have boards at all so the partially sighted can use the outline of the buildings to get around safely.”
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHere are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
1) Make our website your homepage
2) Like our Facebook page
3) Follow us on Twitter
4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
Always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.