Blind man from Overton asks council to clear footpaths

Steven Temple said overgrown footpaths and signage along paths in the village have led to him banging his head on signage hanging off lampposts, and losing his cane when travelling along paths in the overgrown shrubbery and weeds, which have begun growing across the paths within the past few months.

Loose stones had been put down on Kingsclere Road in the past couple of weeks, near where Steven lives, resulting in him knocking into the signage which had been placed along the footpath, blocking the path in areas, and losing his cane.

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The 53-year-old said he had been forced to walk along the road in some places where walking on the footpath was too difficult.

He added that members of the local community had done what they could to help him, such as trimming back verges, nettles and weeds and some passerbys stopping to assist Steven when he had dropped his cane.

Steven said: "I've reported the issues to Hampshire County Council numerous times, but to them, it's not seen as a priority. Well for me, and anyone else trying to use the footpaths with visual or physical impairment, it can be really difficult.

Signage in the footpath along Kingsclere Road (Image: Mark Paine, Canva)

"When you're walking along a path and forever getting stung by nettles and caught in brambles, it can be incredibly frustrating. Add into that the signs along Kingsclere Road, which I obviously can't see, and banging my head along there was the final straw.

"I lost my sight in December 2021 and with things like this, it seems like the people you report the issue to are not very understanding. It's really difficult walking along when your cane keeps getting caught in the weeds. Clearing the footpaths isn't classed as an urgent job but for me and anyone else out there experiencing the same difficulties, it is urgent."

Steven had applied for a guide dog and is currently on the waiting list, but when an instructor came out with a dog, they said that the footpaths were not safe for the dog, as they are so narrow in places it would require the guide dog to walk on the road, which is not allowed.

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Executive lead member for universal services at Hampshire County Council, Cllr Nick Adams-King, said: “I am very sorry to hear of this resident’s experience and confirm that our highways team is looking into the reports that have been made.

These are a number of the footpaths around Overton which Steve regularly uses, but said is becoming more and more difficult to use (Image: Mark Paine, Canva)

"However, more generally, I would add that the majority of hedges, that are next to the public highway, are the responsibility of the adjacent landowner. When, upon investigation, this is found to be the case we follow a formal legal process.

"With regards to signage, every effort is made to ensure footpaths remain accessible when our maintenance crews are carrying out work. They have been reminded to have due regard for those with visual or physical impairment when setting out signage.”