Urgent Need for Sidewalk Repairs Inaccessible Even to Electric Wheelchairs

Sang-gil Park, Gwangju Nam-gu Council Member, Points Out "Need for Thorough Investigation and Tree Maintenance"

There was an opinion presented that a full survey of obstacles on sidewalks, including street tree maps, is necessary.

The reason is that there are pedestrian roads where sufficient space for smooth movement is not secured due to various obstacles, threatening the safety of people with disabilities and the elderly who use electric wheelchairs.

Sang-gil Park, a member of the Nam-gu Council in Gwangju Metropolitan City, stated at the 2nd plenary session of the Nam-gu Council held on the 24th, "Since there are many places where it is difficult for pedestrians to pass each other due to obstacles such as street trees and streetlights, a full survey of obstacles on sidewalks, including street tree maps, is necessary to secure basic data."

He continued, "Electric wheelchairs used by people with disabilities or the elderly are not considered vehicles under the Road Traffic Act, so they must use sidewalks. However, due to various obstacles and sidewalk curbs, they are forced to use the roadway," adding, "Tree maintenance projects to secure the narrowing pedestrian space must also be carried out."

He further added, "To make Nam-gu a place where socially vulnerable and transportation-disadvantaged groups such as people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, and children can live comfortably, special measures such as insurance premium support for those using electric wheelchairs are also necessary."

In response, Byung-nae Kim, the head of Nam-gu Office, said, "We will conduct a full survey of obstacles on sidewalks and establish maintenance plans such as relocating street trees and utility poles based on the results," adding, "Since relocating street trees requires securing a budget, we will prioritize and carry out maintenance step by step every year."