The charity supporting people with sight loss has issued a warning that next week’s strikes on London Underground risks ‘dangerous’ journeys
The charity supporting people with sight loss has issued a warning that next week’s strikes on London Underground risks significantly impacting the independence and safety of blind and partially sighted people.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are due to walk out for 24 hours from 12 noon on Tuesday April 21 and again at the same time on Thursday April 23 in a dispute over shift patterns.
Transport for London (TfL) has warned of disruption to Tube services if the action goes ahead.
Guide Dogs UK said for many blind and partially sighted people, the London Underground is a vital and familiar network and when it is disrupted, alternative routes are often less accessible, predictable, or safe.
Clive Wood, campaigns manager at Guide Dogs, said: “The upcoming strike action across the TfL network is likely to create additional challenges for people with a vision impairment, as changes to usual routes and travel patterns make getting around more difficult.
“Tube closures can lead to increased traffic, busier pavements, and more crowded public spaces and buses. We also expect greater use of e-bikes and e-scooters, and as we saw last year, many of these were poorly parked and blocked pavements, posing risks for pedestrians with sight loss.
“For some, these factors may make journeys feel unpredictable or unsafe, and may lead them to avoid travelling altogether, limiting their independence.
“We’re asking commuters to remember that while trains may stop, the need for accessibility doesn’t. A small act like moving a hire bike or giving up a space or a seat can be the difference between a safe journey and a dangerous one for a person with sight loss.”
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