Pedestrianisation plans - 'danger to the blind'

The 200,000 project will ban some vehicles from the area and cut speeds to 20mph.

But Cllr Carol Borowski, who is registered blind, was concerned pavements would be at the same level as the road.

East County Council, which is carrying out the 'Living Cliffe' project, said the improvements had been designed with blind and partially-sighted people in mind and is confident there would not be any problems.

But on Thursday last week Cllr Borowski told fellow councillors: 'Blind and partially-sighted people in the community are not happy with the proposals.

'The main reason is the pavement is almost level with the road.

'Guide dogs won't be able recognise where they are in order to keep their owners safe.

'And it will be very difficult for blind and partially-sighted people if there is no definition between the road and the pavement.'

Some work has already been carried out but the majority of changes will take place early next year.

The council says it will create a safer environment for shoppers and pedestrians and will reduce the number of vehicles using the Cliffe High Street by as much as 70 per cent.

A spokesman for East Sussex County Council said: 'We have worked closely with Lewes District Access Group to come up with designs that are as helpful as possible to blind and partially-sighted people.

'These include drainage channels, which provide a border between the footways and the road, bollards at regular intervals and, for the partially sighted, a colour scheme which provides a good contrast between the paths and the roads.'