Council backs charter to make streets safer

Leeds City Council has drawn up a charter that aims to make the streets safer for the elderly and people with disabilities.

The Street Charter will tackle issues such as household bins left on pavements, overgrown shrubbery and defective footpaths.

The authority worked with charities and organisations to draw up the plan which has been approved by its executive board.

Deputy council leader Jonathan Pryor said: "The purpose of the charter is to provide a clear, shared understanding of the barriers affecting our city streets."

A council report said: "The proposal to formally adopt the Leeds Street Charter will have a significant and positive impact on the accessibility, inclusiveness and usability of the city's street environment."

The Deaf Blind Society, Guide Dogs, Older People's Forum and the council's social services department were among the organisations involved, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The report said: "Many disabled people collide with wheelie bins or cannot get down their own street."

The council said householders and refuse workers would be encouraged not to leave bins on pavements and it would work with the police to keep pavements clear of parked vehicles.

In addition, cyclists would be encouraged to stay off the pavement and bike "by-passes" would be introduced at bus stops.

The charter said near misses with cyclists could lead to a loss of confidence in going out independently for people with disabilities.

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