THE FRONT story of last week’s Gazette (October 22) quite rightly highlighted concerns in respect of safety in Parsonage Street. It has been a matter of increasing concern to me.

The traders have three aims, the third of which is to raise awareness with drivers of the dangers of hitting a pedestrian. I would like to point out that the traders themselves also have a responsibility to ensure pedestrian safety.

Whilst it is wonderful to have a street café culture, and desirable that traders should wish to advertise their wares, it is increasingly difficult for pedestrians to walk safely in some parts due to excessive encroachment of shop wares on the so-called pedestrian areas and ill-considered placement of boards.

I would earnestly plead for traders to consider how the people whose trade they rely on can safely walk along Parsonage Street when vehicles are legitimately delivering goods, when some places are barred by excessive items or ill-placed boards. Children, sight impaired, hard of hearing, and less-than-nimble folk need to be able to move aside to allow traffic through. Please, please think how such folk can do so without putting themselves at risk from tripping or bumping into your goods and boards.

The road is not infrequently blocked with vehicles and the above-mentioned encroachment; what would happen if an emergency vehicle needed urgent access to a person or property? A life may depend on swift access.

Kathryn Rebbeck

9 Lower Poole Road

Dursley