THE chairman of Three Rivers will walk blindfolded through Rickmansworth town centre on Monday to raise awareness of the obstacles faced by the blind.

Councillor Gladstone Providence hopes to highlight the problem unnecessary street obstacles cause to blind and partially sighted people. He will be accompanied by Mr Eric Norfolk, a local guide dog owner who navigates the route regularly.

Councillor Providence is supporting the Safer Street campaign organised by The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

The campaign aims to encourage town planners, businesses and members of the public to think about the needs of the blind.

In a recent survey of guide dog owners, 87 per cent cited overgrown hedges and low hanging branches as the greatest obstacle. This was followed by cars parked on pavements 81 per cent and badly positioned wheelie bins and piles of rubbish at 58 per cent.

Forty-two per cent of guide dog owners also encountered major difficulties with shop and restaurant furniture such as outdoor caf tables and chairs.

Councillor Providence said: "Pedestrian zones are full of hazards for blind and partially sighted people.

"Overhanging staircases, poor colour and lighting contrast and caf chairs strewn across the pavement all create needless problems for visually impaired people that a little prior thought could have prevented."

He added: "I am looking forward to the challenge of walking blindfolded through Rickmansworth, so I can appreciate first hand what visually impaired people encounter every day."