A GROUP who represents the blind and visually impaired has hit out at Monmouth’s chamber of trade and retailers in the town at the problems encountered while walking up the town’s main shopping thoroughfares.

The Monmouth Visually Impaired Group sought the help of AM candidate Nick Ramsay to show him the difficulties faced not only by sight-challenged people, but by those in wheelchairs and parents with their children in buggies.

Nick donned a blindfold and relied on a white cane during Saturday’s walk, (30th April) designed to demonstrate the challenges which face the town’s visually impaired people in their day to day lives.

Chairman of the group, former town councillor Terry Christopher, was vocal in his criticism by retailers over the number of A boards - the advertising boards placed in the street, that cause obstruction for some shoppers.

He said: “The purpose of this walk today is to highlight the problems for all members of the community that use the public footpath. We as a group - the Monmouth Visually Impaired Club - have over recent entered into discussion with various organisations with varying degrees of success.

“We have had amicable and constructive discussions with officers of Monmouthshire County Councillors (MCC), sadly we cannot say the same for other organisations such as the Monmouth and District Chamber of Commerce.

“Unfortunately officers and certain individuals, not only of the chamber but some retailers, have been resistant to our approaches and our concerns. I would like to take this opportunity to invite anyone who has an  interest with this issue to contact me as chair of the visually impaired club and I will willingly arrange a meeting with our group to discuss a mutual way forward,” he added.

“Many of our members, do not feel secure enough to walk up Monnow Street and Church Street, to go out shopping or enjoy a cup of coffee. This is why we need to once and for all try to highlight the problems that affect everyone, including those in wheelchairs and those with buggies.”

Speaking after the walk Nick said: “I would advise anyone who wants a better understanding of blind issues to take the blind walk up Monnow Street. 

“Most shoppers are very understanding and helpful but day to day objects such as the A boards that occupy the pavement become a real obstacle as you try to negotiate a safe passage between the shops and the road.

“Crossing the busy road was an immense challenge, you rely heavily on motorists seeing you first as you cannot see them.

“As we entered Church Street the problem of traffic abated but was replaced by limited space, even more A boards and other street furniture.

“I know some visually impaired people have been told they should memorise where obstacles are but believe me this is a lot easier said than done when you are disorientated and have to deal with temporary obstructions such as scaffolding.

“I hope to work closely with the group to try and work on some solutions to these problems so that we can make life a little easier for visually impaired people.

“I’d like to thank Terry Christopher and the group for arranging a fascinating and thought-provoking afternoon.”

David Cummings, Chairman of the Monmouth and District Chamber of Commerce said: “On 27th May 2015 a meeting was called by Monmouth and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Monmouthshire County Council at which official representatives of disabled groups were represented to put their views on hazards in the retail areas of Monmouth.

“In preparation for the meeting the chamber sought and obtained the views of a registered blind person with guide dog on the major hazards in Monmouth. These were identified by her and also by representatives at meetings as cars parking on pavements, the gully in Church Street and the lack of dropped kerbs.

"A boards, although mentioned, were considered a hazard for blind people only if they were moved from their normal position. A number of compromises on the siting of and construction of A boards were proposed by the Chamber and these will be incorporated in the document to be presented to Cabinet, probably in June, by the Head of Operations.

"The chamber feel we have comprehensively and sympathetically approached the subject of hazards on the highway for blind and other disabled people."