Chris Elmore, Member of Parliament for Bridgend & Porthcawl, has joined Guide Dogs in calling for safer streets and an end to dangerous pavement parking.

At the recent Labour Conference, Chris met people with sight loss at Guide Dogs’ exhibition stand to hear first-hand about the challenges caused by cars parked on pavements and other accessibility barriers.

Cars parked on pavements are a problem for everyone, but they are dangerous for people with sight loss, who can be forced to walk in the road with traffic they cannot see. Research by Guide Dogs shows that 95% of people with sight loss have been forced to walk in the road because of pavement parking.

Currently, pavement parking is illegal in London and will soon be banned in Scotland — but across the rest of the country, the law remains complex and inconsistent. Guide Dogs is calling for a clear national law to stop pavement parking and ensure that everyone can walk their streets safely.

Chris also spoke with Guide Dog owner Paul, who shared his personal experiences of how dangerous and isolating pavement parking can be.

Chris Elmore MP said:

“It was inspiring to meet Paul and his guide dog, Pyrgo, and to hear directly how pavement parking can make daily life so much harder and more dangerous for people with sight loss.

I know this is a problem across the Bridgend & Porthcawl constituency, too. We need a consistent, national approach to stop pavement parking and make our streets safer and more accessible for everyone. I’m proud to support Guide Dogs’ campaign and will continue to back efforts to ensure everyone can move around their communities safely and independently.”

You can find out more about the Guide Dogs Streets Ahead Campaign and show your support online at: www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/campaigning/our-current-campaigns/streets-ahead/