Rebecca Pow MP took on the challenge of cleaning up the streets at the Conservative Party Conference this week, when the charity Guide Dogs offered her the chance to learn more about the daily difficulties faced by people living with sight loss.

Guide Dogs is calling on MPs and the public to back a new Bill to outlaw irresponsible parking. According to the charity, badly parked cars are putting the lives of pedestrians up and down the country at risk every day. These vehicles are forcing people to step out into the road, without being able to clearly see on-coming traffic.

The charity used a unique twist on the fun-fair game, Hook-a-Duck, to highlight the campaign and Ms Pow became the guide when she helped a rubber duck navigate a stream full of obstacles.

The MP for Taunton Deane is supporting Guide Dogs’ campaign on pavement parking, including a proposed law to restrict it to designated areas.

There are nearly two million people in the UK who are living with sight loss and by 2050, there could be nearly four million. So it’s more important than ever that our streets are safe for people who are blind or partially sighted.

Ms Pow commented, ‘I have actually been out on the streets of Taunton blindfolded, to find out for myself what it is like for blind and partially sighted people trying to get around. Vehicles parking where they shouldn’t be can make life so difficult and dangerous for anyone with sight loss so I welcome this proposed new Bill to outlaw irresponsible parking.’

James White, Senior Campaigns Manager at Guide Dogs, said: “Parking on pavements is blighting Britain's streets. It puts all pedestrians in danger, particularly those living with sight loss.

“It is terrifying for someone who cannot see oncoming traffic to take the risk of stepping out into a road because someone has decided to park on the pavement. We hope this year will see this dangerous practice outlawed once and for all, and call on all MPs to back a change in the law."