Since I posted my rant I have been noticing how other people react.
Quite a lot stand to one side, even if that means standing hemmed in behind the railings until the light is in their favour
I have seen 2 young women catch their (not particularly vertiginous) heels. One fell right over
And one buggy got its wheel trapped. Its a good job the baby was strapped in. Shopping bags ended on the floor though