I now live in a Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Ealing. I have repeatedly seen disabled people deployed in arguments for & against the controversial #LTN

So here is my opinion as a visually impaired white cane user, pedestrian & occasional car passenger! Thread

I mostly feel positive about the aims of the Low Traffic Neighbourhood, but with some very clear conditions.

Currently the pedestrian infrastructure is not accessible or inclusive enough to support the scheme.

The state of tactile paving & drop curbs is inadequate & unsafe.

I have found the placement of the road blocks inconsistent, with varying distances from drop curbs & including some that absolutely block access.

Given the new obstacle created by the boxes, it is vital that appropriate tactile paving is installed to direct pedestrian flow.

Where existing accessible street infrastructure is in place, I believe the scheme has potential to be safe, accessible & reduce traffic flow to benefit disabled pedestrians.

It is essential that every blocked road has a full corner flush to the road drop curb with tactile paving

I absolutely recognise the impact of increased journey times on disabled people, carers & others who can only rely on vehicles. I'm prepared to wait & hear if the scheme will reduce traffic flow & remedy these issues.

I would be keen to hear from disabled people about this issue

As a blind pedestrian, lower traffic & fixed flow routes will make my life safer & easier.

However, I feel frustrated by people utilising the concerns of disabled people to justify opposition to the scheme when they've never cared about accessible street infrastructure before!

I am absolutely keen to speak to @EalingCouncil about these issues & believe that further consultation with disabled people in the area is needed.

I continue to believe that low traffic initiatives & active travel do not have to mean inaccessible street infrastructure.

I'm not a blue badge holder, & don't have a disabled parking spot so can't speak for how it impacts on this issue.

On my walk around the blocked areas my only concern would be if it reduced the turning circle or access to a disabled parking bay for specialist vehicle.

The #LTN does mean that we will be using our tandem bike more for short journeys.

However, I want to see an urgent commitment to increased accessible cycling infrastructure in the borough to give me a safe accessible option as a disabled cyclist.

People who are pro active travel need to stop playing a zero sum game with accessible infrastructure.

When we ask for accessible solutions work with us, we want safe walking & cycling too!

I'm very bored of knee jerk responses about how dangerous cars are... I'm blind, I know.

Finally, I know many people feel passionately about #LTN schemes.

We all need to use roads & streets, we all want to be safe.

I ask that Local Governments consult disabled people, & that campaigners listen to us & don't speak for us.