A MAYORAL candidate has put himself in the shoes of North-East residents who face daily challenges presented by sight loss.

Chris Foote Wood, Lib Dem candidate for this week’s Tees Valley Mayoral elections, briefly experienced negotiating pavements without any sight after being blindfolded and given a white stick.

He took on the blind walk test in a bid to understand problems faced by partially sighted and blind people who travel alone in the region using buses, trains and taxis.

As part of his mayoral campaign, Mr Foote Wood has vowed to improve audio-visual announcements on public transport, as well as ensuring councils have additional powers to make pavements safe and accessible.

The Lib Dem candidate said: “After trying the blind walk test, I am more convinced than ever that much more could be done to make our streets and pavements user-friendly for blind and partly-sighted people.

“I am fortunate to enjoy good eyesight, but there are many people who do not.”

He added: “If elected Mayor I will give a very high priority to ensuring that all new developments are designed to allow access for anyone with poor eyesight or none or who has mobility and access issues.

“Assisted by three members of Guide Dogs North-East and Cumbria, for a brief time I experienced just what it is like to be a blind or partially sighted person, first with a blindfold and then with glasses limiting me to tunnel vision.

“When I did the blindfold walk on my own with a white stick, it was scary and challenging, but also very interesting.”

Mr Foote Wood completed the walk in Darlington with the assistance of engagement officer, Linda Oliver, and mobility instructor, David Waterfall-Brown, with guide dog, Zoe.

The veteran Lib Dem added that he fully supports the Guide Dogs Campaign and has first-hand experience of how challenging getting around can be for disabled people.

His son, Nick, was wheelchair-bound after a stroke before he died aged just 48.

Mr Foote Wood took on the blind test walk ahead of the Tees Valley Mayoral election on Thursday, May 4.

He is running for mayor alongside Conservative candidate, Ben Houchen, Labour’s Sue Jeffrey, and UKIP candidate, John Tennant.

The votes will be counted from 11am on Friday, May 5.