We have had concerns raised with us about the difficulties of getting around Bowness if you are a pedestrian with sight loss.

We want to get a clear plan in place for action that all the relevant agencies can take to make a real difference. And we know this isn’t just an issue for people with sight loss – children, parents with buggies, older people with mobility issues all experience serious problems.

Bowness would be a more attractive place for tourists to wander around, enjoying the shops, if traffic issues were tackled sensibly.

We have drawn up a list of actions we think need to be taken: • A pelican crossing for pedestrians is needed on Lake Road just above the Co-Op • A bus shelter is needed whether the bus stays at the same stop by the cinema or moves further down the road • Cars should be stopped from parking on Crag Brow from the junction with Helm Road to the junction with Ash Street • There should be a 20 mile an hour limit in Bowness from Beresford Road to The Glebe • There should be a review of the use of Lake Road by very large lorries – are they all delivering locally or could some be diverted to more major roads?

• Coaches travelling from the Windermere direction into Bowness need to be advised to use Rayrigg Road • There should be a warning sign for drivers on Lake Road about the T junction at Helm Road (if a pelican crossing is installed a little further up Lake Road this may not be necessary) Now we have written to agencies, including Cumbria County Council and the police, asking them to look at the issues and pool their expertise and resources so that we get a solution.

If anyone else wants to work with us to address these issues, please contact me.

Sheelagh O’Brien

Development Officer Cumbria Societies for the Blind