Walsall blind charity has no confidence in council over town centre regeneration
A local blind charity has hit out at Walsall Council over its lack of consultation with disability groups ahead of major developments.
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Chairman of Walsall Eyes Steve Mellor said councils have a ‘statutory duty’ to involve disability groups when planning big projects.
This month Walsall Council’s planning committee approved major plans to regenerate the town centre.
The project titled Connected Gateway includes the demolition of several buildings to create a town centre plaza between the railway station and St Paul’s bus station.
David Moore, special programmes director at Walsall Council, said that disability groups had been consulted with during planning for the project.
But Steve said no groups representing Visually Impaired People (VIP) had been approached ahead of the town centre plans being made.
He went on to say that the council had not consulted with any VIP organisations for over 10 years.
Steve said: “Consultations are supposed to be inclusive. They have not been.
“We’d like our voices to be heard, we want to be treated fairly. We pay the taxes to the leader and his cronies.
“We’d like to try to do away with steps; where possible, we want ramps and tactile paving. They say they’ll consult with us, but it’s already done.”
When Walsall Eyes caught wind about the Connected Gateway plans last summer, they got in touch with the council to organise a meeting.
Steve, along with a representative from another charity, met with council staff in December 2024.
Several issues were raised, including the lack of consultation, the difficulties Visually Impaired People (VIP) face when accessing information published by the council, and unexpected changes in the town centre, which make it difficult for guide dogs and cane users.
Steve called for the reincarnation of the Disability Forum, which used to hold the council to account. The officers acknowledged their points and promised better engagement.
Steve said: “I’ve got no confidence. We want the town centre to be the best it can be for all disabled groups and the elderly.”
Walsall Council has been approached for comment.
