Perryman

Curiously Skanska's first response was to defend their decision to install street sign posts at 800mm from the kerb edge although they did not allude to this as being for simpler maintenance purposes.

This meant that new posts were situated in the mid-path position with less than 1200mm width between the new posts and other street furniture. As you may be aware this is insufficient space for a single non-motorised wheelchair and certainly is wholly inadequate for a motorised wheelchair or double buggy. DoT and other Codes of Practice specify that the minimum width must lie between 1350 and 1500mm.

In our immediate vicinity we now have three instances where the contractor cannot seemingly fix into their designs, the principle that they must not reduce existing widths to dimensions that are insufficient and particularly makes the provision worse for a wheelchair user or pedestrian with impaired vision.

Having received a poor first response, a second email promised further examination of the situation by Skanska, but it must be said that it was stated in less than positive terms with the comment that it would look for a "possible" solution and made no commitment to ensuring this they would not permit this to happen again.

LB Lewisham used to employ an Impairment Officer whose role included assisting borough residents who were sight impaired or who had become wheelchair users and needed help with any issues that presented difficulties to them within the vicinity of their homes. I have been trying to locate this officer to clarify what standards the borough currently deem to be compliant with good DDA provision.