I write both personally and on behalf of the Brackenbury Residents' Association.
Having read Tom Shaw's article in the Chronicle of August 7, I support my neighbour, Dave Kent, and his colleagues who are protesting against the proposed shared footpaths for pedestrians and cyclists at the southern entrance of Westfield shopping centre.
It is clear these shared spaces will pose a danger to the disabled, elderly and children, and particularly to the blind and disabled.
There are already many cyclists who break the law by riding on pavements.
Judging by their behaviour they have no concern for the safety of pedestrians. It will be worse when they will actually be allowed to share space with them at Westfield.
How can the blind be expected to get out of the way of cyclists, who are difficult to hear. And they cannot see? And what about the partially sighted who are not always identifiable by a white stick?
If someone has an assistance dog or a white stick it might not be apparent to a cyclist coming up from behind. Elderly people often do not, or cannot, react quickly, and children often act too quicklyand irrationally.
We should heed the warning of Melanie Kemps, director of Action Trust for the Blind, that "there is extensive research on shared surfaces which shows that the scheme does not work".
Indeed there have been instances of cyclists facing serious criminal charges when they have knocked over and killed pedestrians.
I personally am not a supporter of the whole Westf ield project, considering such a huge development of shops unnecessary, but that is by the by.
Let's at least do something right and not launch the scheme with a potential danger for the vulnerable. These shared footpaths should not go ahead.
Julia Davidson, Brackenbury Residents' Association Committee
Marco Road Hammersmith
