Street clutter such as irresponsibly placed shop advertising signs (A-boards) and pavement cafe furniture can obstruct and hamper a person’s progress in the street.

As we well know here in Brighton and Hove, there are many streets which are nothing but an obstacle course for people such as myself.

I’m totally blind with a guide dog. My dog navigates me around street furniture but have we stopped to think about elderly people with limited mobility and those who use white canes, buggies, wheelchairs? They struggle to navigate around street clutter.

Keeping pathways clear is particularly crucial for the independence of people who are blind and partially sighted.

A recent Guide Dogs survey for its Streets Ahead campaign showed A-boards and cafe furniture to be in the top ten most common street clutter items, acting as a real barrier to a person’s independence. This clutter prevents people from using pavements with confidence.

And, shockingly, 65% of those with sight loss have been injured by street clutter.

Several local councils have already introduced measures to reduce unnecessary clutter.

For example, shops can use window adverts instead of multiple A-boards to entice customers and improve the street for pedestrians.

I would like readers of The Argus to join me in a campaign to ask Brighton and Hove City Council to introduce measures to tackle unnecessary street clutter and ensure our streets are fully accessible to those who are blind or partially sighted.

Email campaigns@guidedogs.org.uk for more information.

Diane Marks, Rutland Gardens, Hove