A politician discovered what life is like for his blind and partially-sighted constituents when he spent 40 minutes negotiating Ashford’s shared space while wearing a blindfold.

Ashford MP Damian Green was invited by charity Guide Dogs to take part in a blindfold walk challenge through the town centre on Friday morning after people complained they didn’t feel safe walking around the controversial area, shared by pedestrians and vehicles.

Mr Green initially used a long cane to feel his way around obstacles before putting his faith in Rosie, a 19-month-old guide dog in training.

The MP, who at one point found himself in the middle of the carriageway, said: “It was very difficult. When you’re just relying on your ears and the dog the traffic sounds really close. Your whole instinct is to move away from it. I felt quite vulnerable.”

The event was held to highlight the problems caused by “street clutter” such as shop advertising boards and tables and chairs outside cafes as well as areas like the shared space that have no curbs, no controlled crossings and no contrast in pavement colours.

Mr Green said he will now work with Ashford Access Group, which he is patron of, to find ways of making the area less hazardous for blind and partially-sighted people.

He suggested asking the council to increase the size of the raised surface between the areas normally used by vehicles and pedestrians, and speaking to business owners about placing advertising boards closer to their buildings.

Guide Dogs spokesman Louise Burnes said: “This is the first time we’ve done a blindfold walk challenge in Ashford and we did it because of the shared space. Our members have complained about the shared space, they are not confident using it.

"It’s confusing because there’s no right of way and the only way to determine a right of way is by eye contact, which isn’t very helpful if you’re blind or partially-sighted.

“There are also no kerbs, it’s all on one level, so the dogs are not sure where the path ends. It’s definitely a risk to people’s health and safety.”

The group, which included members of Ashford’s Guide Dogs branch, met outside The County Hotel and walked to Elwick Square.

The £15.9 million shared space scheme has been plagued with controversy since it opened in 2008. Angry residents accused the council of using poor quality materials when the road surfaced needed repairing within months and slammed the decision to spend thousands on pavement art and fancy street lighting.