Local charity Walsall Eyes says lack of consultation on regeneration plans is a failure of duty to disability groups.
Steve Mellor chairs Walsall Eyes. He says the council has a duty to involve disability groups when planning big projects like the town center project, called Connected Gateway. As part of this project, they will demolish buildings to make a plaza that will connect the train and bus stations.
David Moore said they consulted disability groups, but Steve says they didn’t talk to groups for blind people. He added that they haven’t in a decade and believes the consultations should include everyone. They want their voices heard and fair treatment. They want to avoid steps, preferring ramps and tactile paving, but they feel the plans are already set.
Walsall Eyes contacted the council last summer to discuss the plans, and Steve met with the council in December 2024 where they raised concerns. The concerns included poor consultation and access to information for blind people. Unexpected changes cause problems too, and guide dogs and cane users struggle. Steve asked them to bring back the Disability Forum.
Council officers seemed to acknowledge the issues, and they promised better engagement going forward. However, Steve is skeptical, wanting the town to be better for disabled people. The council has been asked for their opinion.