Guided walk demonstrates sight loss obstacles

Staff from Newcastle City Council wore spectacles to represent different eye conditions

Council officials wearing glasses simulating sight impairments have walked through a busy city centre to experience the danger of pavement obstacles.

Newcastle City Council staff were guided from the civic centre by volunteers from the Tyne and Wear Sight Loss Council (SLC).

The charity said cafe seating, advertising boards and discarded e-scooters could cause trips and injuries.

SLC engagement manager Jack Moffat said the council had "showed a willingness to work on the issues".

Tyne and Wear Sight Loss Council volunteers Jack Moffat and Matty Bolam

The charity estimates about 36,800 blind and partially sighted people in the local area will be affected by hazards they cannot easily see.

Mr Moffat, who uses a white cane, said obstructions could create a fear of going out to do "the everyday things" that others could do "without stress".

“If we can navigate our streets independently and safely, we can travel outside of the house to get to work, appointments, socialise and essentially live our lives," he said.

Council director of city operations Christine Herriot said it had been a "great opportunity" for the council.

Ms Herriot said the walk would help staff "understand what obstacles some people may come up against, some of which we may have not considered”.