Comment

Representation ID: 2431

Received: 01/03/2016

Respondent: National Federation for the Blind

There are many guide dog owners who live in the Southend district and close to the high street as well as many that visit the high street for shopping and holidays. Currently there is no safe free running areas for our dogs and nowhere is there an area where our dogs can go to the toilet. Up to the time when the Odeon cinema was built in Victoria Circus area, there was always some grass where our dogs could go. Although our dogs are trained to go in a gutter there are very few of these now except in a few side streets. So please plan for designated areas close to bus and train stations and to shops. You cannot complain about dog mess when no areas are provided.
When building blocks of flats and other housing this should also be provided, not only for guide dog owners but for other dog owners. Green areas should be provided with seating and shelters. The shelters to protect people from the rain and hot sun. There is no mention of Public Toilets in the document and they should be available throughout the town in shopping areas and green space areas.