CAMPAIGNERS who have fought nationally against “dangerous” shared spaces have called for Kidderminster’s own facility outside the town hall to be removed.

Film-maker and activist Sarah Gayton and David Bates, from the National Federation of the Blind, said the risk to the safety of people was extremely high and that Kidderminster pedestrians would not be given priority over vehicles.

Last week, The Shuttle reported how UKIP town councillors Michael Wrench and Michael Stooke feared the placement of a bench near to where traffic passes and lack of road markings in the square were putting people in danger.

The square forms part of Wyre Forest District Council’s £2million public realm project to help regenerate Kidderminster town centre.

Regeneration bosses said the area was designed as a ‘shared space’ with pedestrians getting priority access. A further audit was carried out last week and the findings will be assessed.

But Sarah Gayton said: “I was horrified to read Kidderminster has now got one of these shared spaces and I feel so sorry for the people.

“They are simply not safe. How on earth can they expect blind people, for example, to cross safely across the square? They are poorly designed and there are no kerbs, no pedestrian crossings, and no markings.

“I and many others have campaigned against these schemes across the country and seen U-turns performed and crossing re-installed. I would urge Kidderminster to get rid of its shared space too before someone gets hurt or killed.”

Mr Bates added: “Mothers with small children, people who are old or infirm, and especially people who are blind or visually impaired who cannot see moving traffic, all find such streets very frightening.

“Contrary to stated opinion, in shared areas pedestrians and motorists do not have equal rights–of–way.

“Whenever there is a priority conflict pedestrians will always give way to moving vehicles to avoid the risk of physical injury, so that motorists effectively control the movement of both pedestrians and vehicles in shared spaces.”

Councillor Ian Hardiman, Wyre Forest’s cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration said: “This part of the town centre has been purposefully designed to be a ‘shared space’, giving a character and identity to this important space in front of the Town Hall making it a more pleasant environment for people to spend time and where events can be held.

“Shared spaces do not have the vehicular carriageway specifically demarked by lines or kerbs.

“This results in vehicles driving slower and being more observant of pedestrians and other road users, who, in turn can be more confident in their ‘priority’ use of the space.

“As with all new highway schemes there is the need for a stage 3 Safety Audit which was carried out last Thursday (6 October). We will consider the results of the survey along with our partners from Worcestershire County Council in due course.”