Mayor faces 'naked road' protest

Protesters say the development discriminates against the blind

A charity has protested at City Hall over plans to remove the kerbs from a west London street which is home to some of the UK's most famous museums.

The shared surface scheme has the aim of slowing down traffic on Exhibition Road around the Victoria and Albert, Science and Natural History museums.

London mayor Boris Johnson has pledged £13m to the £25m "naked road" project in South Kensington.

But Guide Dogs for the Blind has said blind people need kerbs to navigate.

If people can't tell where the road begins and the pavement ends, how can they feel safe? Tom Pey, Guide Dogs for the Blind

Protesters gathered at City Hall on Wednesday morning to greet Mr Johnson on his way in to work.

Blind and partially-sighted people use kerbs as a key navigation cue so their removal would have dangerous consequences, the Guide Dogs group said.

Tom Pey from the organisation said: "This development actively discriminates against the safety and independence of blind and partially-sighted people, disabled and elderly people and young children.

"If people can't tell where the road begins and the pavement ends, how can they feel safe?"

'Shared streets clearly not safe'

Kensington and Chelsea Council has approved the scheme.

Last September, it said the overall aim was to recreate a "village" feel in the hectic area.

The council plans to eliminate the kerbs and remove safety barriers to force traffic to slow down dramatically in the area and make crossing the road less daunting.

The concept, which is also known as "naked roads", involves removing the differences between car and pedestrian spaces, causing drivers to slow down.

Kulveer Ranger, the mayor of London's director of transport policy, said he met with Mr Pey on Wednesday and has agreed to work together to address Guide Dogs's concerns.

"The current street layout of Exhibition Road is simply not up to scratch for an area that is visited by more than 11 million people per year," Mr Ranger added.

"That is why the mayor fully supports a redesign of the area, which will fulfil his aim of making the capital more walking friendly and make great improvements to an area that is home several of the capital's leading museums, arts venues and educational institutes."