'No-go zone': Disabled people warn Glasgow streets too dangerous to navigate

People with disabilities have warned the quality of the streets often make Glasgow feel like a “no-go zone“.

Wheelchair users and people with visual impairments say roadworks blocking walkways and the poor quality of pavements make the city difficult – and sometimes dangerous – to navigate.

Glasgow’s Centre for Inclusive Living has called on the council to consult more closely with disability groups when making planning decisions.

Ryan Hughes, who uses a wheelchair, says he plans ahead every time he leaves the house.

“There’s a bit of anxiety, it’s a fear of the unknown,” he told STV News.

Ryan says he feels 'deterred' from going into the city centre — Ryan says he feels ‘deterred’ from going into the city centre STV News

Despite living minutes from the city centre, he often feels deterred from going in.

“I should be able to get to places independently and not have to think twice of whether I’ll be able to manage.

“Potholes and uneven pavements often force me to take my chair onto roads, and the lack of drop kerbs make avoiding oncoming traffic more difficult.

“Basically, I’m putting myself in danger, all because access is not been thought about. It just seems when things are designed, accessibility is a bit of an afterthought, and it should be an afterthought.”

Siobhan Knox, who travels to the city centre from the east end using her guide canes, says navigating the city centre with tunnel vision can be frightening.

“I can only see what’s in front of me, no peripheral vision. I struggle to know if I can cross the road or not.

“Using my canes, I can find cracks in the road, but it’s not always the case. There’s no consideration for disabled people.

“It’s trying to figure out whether to go through the city centre or a different way. That alternative may take me longer to get there, but it would be safer. It brings my confidence down.”

The £100m Avenues Project began in 2018, aims to transform city centre streets. While the council consulted with disabled groups, many say they felt excluded while works were carried out.

Siobhan uses a guide cane to get around STV News

Joanne McGee, policy and participation lead at Glasgow’s Centre for Inclusive Living, believes the city has become harder for disabled people due to cracked pavements and roadworks.

She wants to see major investment in roads, pavements and public spaces so disabled people feel more safe and independent.

She said: “Poor infrastructure traps people in their homes and prevents equality.

“The state of the roads is really bad. Members and staff members have had their wheelchair go down potholes, and they’ve come right out of their wheelchair.

“Public transport, like the subway, can be very inaccessible. A lot of venues are inaccessible. Going to a gig, or going to a movie is unattainable for a lot of people. It affects people’s mental and physical health.

“A non-disabled person doesn’t really think about the dangers that can be out there – the bigger picture.

“We need to look at how we make a better Glasgow.”

Roadworks are a common sight in Glasgow STV News

A council spokesman said accessible and inclusive designs are fully incorporated into the new infrastructure, that projects are widely consulted on and subject to an equalities impact assessment and that all new projects conform to national standards.

They said that a recent sample of footways found 87% were in good condition.

“We fully acknowledge that infrastructure works can cause disruption and inconvenience,” they said.

“We always strive to minimise any inconvenience and make it as easy as possible to move around these works for all road users.

“The Avenues and Avenues Plus programmes are creating highly attractive and accessible public spaces in the city centre and will make it far easier to get around the centre by walking, wheeling or cycling.

“Where faults on footway surfaces are identified we urge people to report these so they can be assessed and included in an appropriate repairs programme.

“For the city centre specifically, our Rapid Repairs Fund can help to progress maintenance of smaller issues in public spaces.

“If there are particular areas that do not have dropped kerbs, we would be happy to look at these locations to see what adjustments can be made.”