A street obstacle campaigner is blaming Richmond Council for making her life a misery when she walks through Twickenham town centre.

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Jackie Venus, who is registered blind and lives in the town, said despite upgrading King Street the council has created more "clutter" for her to avoid.

Her concerns come in the same week the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB) carried out research revealing 95 per cent of people had collided with an obstacle in the street.

Ms Venus said: "The council has just upgraded the high street but it seems they didn’t take account of our concerns in the consultation.

"It’s all very well that the pedestrian area is now wider but it is more cluttered with a whole range of street furniture including trees, bus stops, bike racks, A-boards and flower pots.

"It takes all the fun out of going into town and walking down the high street, especially when I have to weave in and out of so many obstacles just to get where I want to be."

The council has responded by batting away criticism, claiming street furniture in Twickenham had been kept to a minimum in recent upgrades.

A spokesman said: "It is recognised that the survey is a national one and that it makes a number of generalisations, in Twickenham we are investing millions of pounds to improve the high street and make it a premier place to shop and visit.

"Throughout the process we have consulted at length with Richmond Aid, a charity run by and for disabled people in our borough, and incorporated their feedback.

"Street furniture in Twickenham has been kept to a minimum compared to many other high streets - bus stops have in fact been relocated to help reduce the clutter in the main shopping area and the streetscene has been enhanced.

"We also work closely with local businesses to ensure things like advertising boards and pot plants do not obstruct pavements."

However, it did describe the statistic that 95 per cent of people had collided with obstacles as "concerning" and said it would continue to ensure "the needs of all disabled people are met".

Nationally, more than one third of registered blind people have sustained injuries caused by an obstacle in the street, RNIB’s "Who put that there?" survey revealed.

Fazilet Hadi, director of engagement at RNIB, added: "We shouldn't have to fear bumping into obstacles or not knowing where the kerb is. Local authorities need to take steps to make streets safe for their blind and partially sighted residents."