The problems were one of many issues raised by a local charity
15:16, 12 Jul 2025Updated 15:18, 12 Jul 2025
John Edgley with his guide dog Dodger(Image: Liverpool Echo)
People who are blind and partially sighted say they’re avoiding a Merseyside town centre as regeneration works made everyday barriers even worse. As major changes are taking place in Wirral, they want to make sure they’re included as part of that future.
The ECHO approached the Wirral Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted (WSBPS) after concerns were raised by Conservative councillor Ian Lewis about floating bus stops, a type of stop where those wishing to get on and off a bus have to cross a cycle lane. Examples of these can be seen on Harrison Drive in Wallasey and Fender Lane in Bidston.
Cllr Lewis argues the bus stops “will never be safe for pedestrians” and asked the council to pause its plans following a government announcement. Sheila Spearing, who lives near one of the stops, said: “I always feel vulnerable walking out into the bike lane for a bus to stop,” adding: “I feel as though I am standing in the road rather than on the pavements […] it’s a bit scary.”
Wirral Council said: “The Government has indicated that it is expecting to ask local authorities to pause proposed schemes which include shared use bus boarders but no formal instruction has yet been received from Government, nor how this would affect existing bus stop infrastructure. Once this information is available, the council will review and act accordingly.”
However the issues affecting those at WSBPS were wider ranging from the way crossings are designed, antisocial cycling and driving, fears of being hit by delivery riders to the disruption caused by regeneration works in Birkenhead town centre. The ECHO revealed earlier this week the scheme is behind schedule and massively over budget and a review has been launched by the council.
Though many have complained about the difficulty navigating the works in Birkenhead, this is even harder for John Edgley and his guide dog Dodger. He told the ECHO: “I just don’t go to Birkenhead. It’s just too confusing. The nearest bank I use is in Birkenhead. I can’t do it on the phone because of my eyesight.
“If you go down at the moment, you’ve got to go down one bit across and back around. You are like zig zagging. It’s like a jigsaw.
“By the time I have got to where I want to go, I just want to go home. It’s just draining mentally. It’s just mentally draining. What obstacles have they put in our way again?
“There’s still a few shops I like going to. I try to stay out of Liverpool because it’s just too busy. Accessibility wise, it’s good for me and the stuff in the shops are brilliant but it’s busy and because of the Birkenhead works, I wouldn’t go there. A lot of people won’t go to Birkenhead because of how the roads are now.”
He said there were also issues in Liverpool with delivery riders who ride on pavements all across the city centre which worried both him and Dodger. He told the ECHO: “You have got all the restaurants that use them.
“I know they have got to get their food and that but they just need to slow down. I know they need to get from A to B but they need to just show a bit more consideration.
“They need to take more responsibility because they think because they are on bikes and on scooters, they can just mount the pavement so they can get there quickly. You see them when they get caught in traffic, they come onto the curb.”
The ECHO approached three leading food delivery companies to respond to John’s concerns. A Just Eat spokesperson said: “Just Eat is committed to being a responsible partner and supporting the local communities we operate in, we’re always sorry to hear when there are community concerns and will always work to address them.
“We set clear standards and requirements for those who deliver on our behalf. All independent couriers sign a robust Service Agreement, and we regularly provide guidance on safe and responsible behaviour. We will always investigate safety breaches and take swift action where appropriate.”
An Uber Eats spokesperson said: “The safety of our customers and the general public is a top priority for Uber Eats. All couriers are required to adhere to the Highway Code, and any reports of couriers breaching road laws can result in a courier being removed from the Uber Eats app.”
A Deliveroo spokesperson said: “Deliveroo takes its responsibilities in the communities where we operate very seriously and we’re proud to support local restaurant partners by connecting them with customers in the area. We regularly communicate with riders about respecting the neighbourhoods where they work, as well as respecting the Highway Code.
“During the onboarding process, every rider is provided with road safety information which includes specific information on never riding on the pavement. If incidents are reported to us involving riders, we investigate and work with the authorities to take appropriate action where necessary.”
Paula Cartwright said the council needed to see what it was like for them(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Paula Cartwright said she does try to leave the house despite her worries walking on uneven pavements, telling the ECHO: “It’s horrible. It’s tiring navigating your way around the road works. I think it’s awful. Birkenhead is a nightmare at the moment.
“Why don’t they do it in one fell swoop rather than doing bits. It’s horrible. They just do a bit and move on.”
The group said the council needed to spend a day in their shoes and meet with them. Paula said: “They need to see what it’s like for us, it’s so difficult. Walk a day in the life of someone else. They need to get the council to go around with blindfolds on.”
Jo Tudor, a volunteer for the society, said: “It comes back to not listening to people and not including people who are less able bodied into the conversation. It does come down to, are you going to be hit by cars when you are crossing the road?
“We want just a bit of consistency off the council, just a bit of empathy. Before they start doing major works, could they have a focus group with charities like the RNIB and the Wirral Society?
“They need to get in touch. You have got these major works coming up and they need to listen to us about how they could make it safer for us. Just sitting down at a table like this is having an impact and you feel listened to.
“We just want to live in an environment that is inclusive and healthy and just want to be considered in those long term decisions but also feel like we have our input.”
A Wirral Council spokesperson said: “New controlled crossings are installed with a push button and tactile cone (for people with visual impairments) on crossing points, as per guidance, while audible signals are also provided if the layout and signal operation allow, as has been the standard for many years. Temporary crossing points with temporary signals were provided during the construction phase of the works at Charing Cross junction.
“Engagement feedback from all residents is welcomed and encouraged by the council whenever changes are being put forward, and as part of this the authority operates an Active Travel Forum which is attended by the RNIB. This forum is also a consultee for all schemes and anyone is welcome to join this forum (details are on the council website).
“The RNIB are a key consultee for council projects, in addition to other groups such as Wirral Pedestrian Association, Living Streets and organisations such as Tomorrow’s Women Wirral, Wirral Multicultural Organization. Should any other individuals or groups wish to join the forum they can contact committee services.
“All schemes are consulted on through the council’s Have your Say website and local residents/businesses are able to comment on proposed changes. Contact information is included on the Have your say webpage, to ensure that any person or group that would like further information or assistance can get in touch and have their enquiries responded to.
“For many consultations in-person events are also held for people to have questions answered about individual consultations. If organisations would like to meet to discuss consultations, then officers would be pleased to meet.
“In addition schemes are promoted on social media and through local media, while councillors also share information with key groups and residents through their own communication channels. Further, the council is happy to consider any reasonable adjustments from any group or individual upon request.”