A PLAN to overhaul the centre of Clydebank has been put on hold over concerns from visually impaired residents.

The Connecting Clydebank designs stretch from the junction of Glasgow Road with Argyll Road and include reducing the speed limits to 20mph, a shared pedestrian and cycle route, new seating and lighting and improved areas around Solidarity Plaza and the International Asbestos Memorial.

But the planning committee heard worries about lowered or no kerbs and so-called “shared spaces” for pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles.

Sandy Taylor, Scottish representative for the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of the UK, told the Post he was one of the objectors at West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning meeting last week, along with RNIB representative Cate Vallis and Gilbert Howieson of Parkhall, and North Kilbowie and Central Community Council.

The NFB and RNIB both objected to the removal of kerbs as a vital safety and navigational aid to blind and partially sighted residents. They said kerbs can help guide dogs know where to stop and cane users to feel the edge of a pavement.

However, West Dunbartonshire Access Panel was supportive of the plan.

Mr Taylor highlighted the case of Michael Pringle, a former reporter with our sister paper, the Dumbarton Reporter, whose three-year-old son Clinton was killed in a shared space while on holiday in Jersey.

“Michael told me that Clinton had nowhere to go for safety as there were no kerbs to segregate traffic from pedestrians,” said Mr Taylor. “West Dunbartonshire Council planned to install an almost identical scheme in Hall Street as the one in Jersey which resulted in the death of Clinton – no lessons appear to have been learned from this and other tragedies.

“West Dunbartonshire Council had already amended their scheme to improve Dumbarton Road, deleting the part of the proposal that would have allowed people to cycle on pavements.

“At Wednesday’s meeting, councillors decided the scheme should be redrawn. It should provide safe access for everybody.”

Speaking after the meeting, Bailie Denis Agnew, who sits on the planning committee, said: “They made very valid points. The access panel gave a very good response and take on it, but I think everybody’s position should be reconsidered.

“I think it’s a great scheme and will improve Clydebank, however there’s enough scope for a reconsideration.”