Dozens of shoppers have been hurt tripping over a 'hidden' kerb built for blind people in a £15.7million pedestrianised zone.<br /><br />The eco-friendly scheme in Wolverhampton was intended to cut traffic pollution and encourage people to walk or cycle into the city centre.<br /><br />A low kerb was installed in the middle of Victoria Street for blind and partially sighted people to tap their sticks against to help them navigate their way.<br /><br />Just six weeks after the new zone was opened, dozens of people have complained about the kerb being a dangerous “trip hazard”, including councillors.<br /><br />One shopper said: “It’s crazy. I came out the Mander shopping centre with a few bags, I crossed the road and almost went flat on my face when I didn’t see the kerb.<br /><br />“There is a white line but it’s so close to the new cycle and pedestrian markings you can barely see it. <br /><br />“I’ve seen lots of people almost come a cropper over it.”<br /><br />Another resident said: “The council seem to have put something in to help blind people but created a trip hazard for everyone else.<br /><br />“Lots of elderly people use this street and I’ll be amazed if someone doesn’t have a nasty fall one of these days. <br /><br />“Everyone seems to be falling down.”<br /><br />Workers and engineers took 17 months to install the hi-tech road markings and dropped kerbs along the road.<br /><br />Shopkeepers and business owners say trade slumped while the road was closed but they now fear the trip hazard will put even more people off the area.<br /><br />Shopkeeper Pram Aulakh, 60, said: "It's an awful waste of money to spend on just one road.<br /><br />"Every day I see people struggling across the road and almost lose their footing. It's ridiculous and makes the area a laughing stock."<br /><br />Another business owner said: "The council have essentially spent £15million creating an obstacle course for shoppers. It's absolutely barmy and no one will benefit.<br /><br />"It was safer crossing the road when there were cars and buses going up and down."<br /><br />Councillors at the Labour-run council have admitted the new markings are causing problems for pedestrians.<br /><br />Labour councillor Zee Russell said: "I was there for the little festival we had and everyone seemed to be falling down the little brick that's there.<br /><br />"Because it's grey you can't see it, and if someone is visually impaired it's going to have an impact on them. <br /><br />“My criticism is that it is an accident waiting to happen and that really does need addressing."<br /><br />Fellow Labour councillor John Reynolds said he had tripped over on the road.
