BLIND people today said mini roundabouts were putting their lives at risk - because guide dogs think they are safe places to wait!

Joyce Ferguson, from Blackburn and District Blind Society, spoke as Guide Dogs for the Blind revealed it is lobbying nationally for the right to be consulted when new road layouts are designed.

Mrs Ferguson said that dogs were trained to recognise "bumps" in surfacing, such as traffic islands, as "safe spots" when leading owners across the road. However, the dogs do not distinguish raised mini roundabouts from designated waiting places, and society members have found themselves stranded on top of them with cars "whizzing past".

Guide Dogs for the Blind said this was a national problem and it wasn't just mini roundabouts, but road-height pavements, and roadworks putting their dog owners' lives at risk.

Mrs Fergu-son called on councils to re-think their mini roundabout strategy, and let the society know where they were being placed, so members could be warned.

She said: "This is a serious problem for our blind people, and we are now looking at ways we can train our dogs not to lead their owners onto, or sit down on, mini roundabouts.

"I had one lady who told me about a 'nice new refuge' the council had put in North Road which she had been using with her dog. When I went to see it, it was a mini roundabout and cars were whizzing past them as they stood on it.

"Nobody had told her it wasn't a traffic refuge, and she had just assumed the dog was taking her there as it was a safe spot.

"When she found out she was horrified as she had used it to cross the road when taking her children to Our Lady and St John's School.

"Motorists never go round them, they just drive over the top of them, so it is extremely dangerous for guide dog users.

"Unfortunately, our members are left to find out the hard way - and it usually hurts!"

Brenda Midgley, secretary for Burnley and Nelson Blind Society, said the problem was one of awareness, and trying to educate councils and the public about some of the issues blind people face.

She said: "The council should also let us know when roadworks are being carried out."

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "If there is a problem, it will be nationwide and will need looking at by the bodies that issue the guidelines.

"We will bring this to their attention and work with them, and the Blind Society, to seek a solution."

Chris Dyson, spokesman for Guide Dogs for the Blind, said: "If a guide dog owner regularly uses a route which has been changed without their knowledge they could very easily be put at risk."