STREET CLUTTER: A GUIDE DOG OWNER'S STORY

Street clutter is something that so many hardly notice until it is pointed out. But for some it can have a huge impact on their daily lives.

Guide dog owner Penny Hefferan shares her experiences.

Public spaces are becoming more difficult to navigate with the increase of street clutter. Pavements and other pedestrian areas can be blocked by an array of obstacles such as A-boards, badly-placed signs and outside hospitality dining.

This street clutter not only clogs up the pavements but can cause falls and trips, making it harder for people with sight loss to get around.

OUTSIDE DINING

Outside dining furniture can be difficult for guide dogs to detect as tables and chairs aren’t solid objects, and even if there is a barrier around them, it can be hard for a dog to find its way through.

Quite often people at the tables won’t notice you or leave you enough space to get by, and if you get stuck it can be very frustrating and embarrassing, when all you want to do is get to your destination.

There have been times when I have been forced to walk in the road as the space on the pavement is too small.

Businesses often don’t leave enough space for me and my guide dog, but they usually aren’t the people who see how I am impacted, it’s their customers.

Some people are better than others at noticing and providing help, but some can be abrupt and don’t understand how the street clutter is a barrier to me.