'NINE OUT OF TEN CARS WILL STOP... WHAT ABOUT THE TENTH?'

摘要

The idea of Shared Space is to reduce the dominance of vehicles and to make streets more attractive for pedestrians. Which of us would want to argue against that excellent goal? The concept, which originated in the Netherlands, is fast gaining support across the UK, and local authorities are keen to embrace principles that would appear to deliver a safe and sustainable future for town and city centres. The success of Shared Spaces is dependent on the various users of that space - drivers, cyclists, pedestrians - acknowledging and respecting each other. However, if, in the words of the Department for Transport's draft "Manual for Streets", eye contact between driver and pedestrian is the key to success, then the dangers for the UK's blind and partially sighted people are clear.