MORE needs to be done in Minehead and the rest of Somerset to make street safer for blind and partially sighted people, it is claimed.

The warning from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) follows a blindfold walk organised by campaigners in the West Somerset town.

Participants were able to get a feel for some of the challenges blind and partially sighted people can face in getting around the town.

There are more than 3,300 people in Somerset who are registered blind or partially sighted and seemingly small changes to local streets can have a big impact on their independence.

Insufficient tactile paving and unhelpful location of street furniture were among the issues highlighted during the visit to the resort earlier this month.

The event was organised by the RNIB and the campaigners were joined by Somerset West and Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger.

RNIB regional campaigns officer for the South West Steve Hyde said: “Obstacles like cars parked on pavements or wheelie bins blocking a pathway that sighted people don’t really take notice of can be a real hazard to someone who can’t see them.

"Events like this raise awareness of the issues and give people the opportunity to get an indication of what it can be like when you can’t rely on your sight to get around.”

There was a demonstration of the types of canes used by those with sight loss and an explanation of the most common forms of eye conditions.

Participants wore spectacles with filters that simulate different forms of sights loss and joined a short ‘blindfold’ walk from the car park at West Somerset Railway into the town centre.

Somerset West and Taunton Council held a free safety training event for e-scooter users in conjunction with operators Zapp Mobility elsewhere in the town on the same day.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said: “It was a privilege to be able to join the RNIB in Minehead at the beginning of April and learn more about the challenges which blind and partially sighted pedestrians face.

"I thank the RNIB for inviting me to attend and for their commitment to raising awareness of the importance of safe and inclusive street design.”