BLIND and visually impaired people say they are risking serious injury every time they enter Hereford city centre following the recent refurbishment project in and around High Town.

Tony Doverman is a guide dog owner who has, in the past, made extensive use of the city's facilities.

But a recent brush with a lorry on the corner of Widemarsh Street and High Street has left Tony and his dog, Robbie, reluctant to come into the city at all.

Tony is visually impaired and the lack of a defined kerb and inadequate tactile paving following the conversion of the city centre to a shared-surface space, means that he runs the risk of a repeat occurrence every time he and Robbie visit the city centre.

"Robbie now shows signs of real stress whenever we come into town," says Tony. "He has been trained to recognise the kerb as the demarcation line between pavement and road. He can't do that any longer."

With the disappearance of the kerb, Robbie has had to be retrained to recognise a four-inch square drain on the HSBC corner as the demarcation point, but drivers are often failing to observe the visual indicators.

"I am absolutely incensed," says Tony. "It feels like blatant discrimination and denies a whole user group freedom of access."

At the Royal National College for the Blind, Anne Rolfe, team leader of independence, voiced her concerns at the lack of a down kerb at Widemarsh Street.

"It is an accident waiting to happen. The situation is very unsatisfactory at the moment and is putting the visually impaired at risk," she said.

Julian Reeves, chief executive of Herefordshire Association for the Blind, added: "It is causing a lot of concern and inconvenience to our users. I am sure, though, that the council will be able to address the problem as soon as possible."

The council's highways area manager, Clive Hall, confirms that action is being taken.

"The safety and welfare of Herefordshire's residents is a priority and every effort is being made to create a first-class shopping area which is safe to use and accessible to all.

"Tactile surfaces for High Town and, in particular, the crossing of Widemarsh Street by HSBC, are being pursued as part of the refurbishment works. They will be installed in the next four weeks as part of the scheme," he said.

"With the input and help of the RNC and HAB, we will be able to create a shopping centre which can be safely enjoyed by all."