A sensible policy to better manage the use of A-Boards by businesses in the area will be discussed by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet on 9th November 2011 following consultation with the local community.
The Council aims to better control the increase in A-Boards and improve safety on public footways for people with a visual impairment, problems with mobility, and child buggy users. Clear rules, so that everyone understands the requirements of the policy and are treated equally, are being proposed.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said, “Bath & North East Somerset Council wants to adopt a policy which addresses the concerns of people who find it difficult to negotiate public footways due to A-Boards, but balances the needs for shops and traders to attract customers into their premises. This common sense proposal strikes the right balance and supports the Council’s aim of making the street scene both attractive and easy to use for all.“
Key points:
- No licensing or permitting system would be introduced, and nor would charges be levied against businesses who comply with the rules;
- The policy only covers A-Boards and mainly in respect of their size and position – further details are available on the Council’s website;
- Once the policy is agreed there will be a three month lead in period up to March 2012 and individual guidance on compliance will be available;
- From April 2012, businesses that do not comply will be subject to enforcement action, starting with a verbal notice to remove or replace a non-compliant board.
The proposal has had broad support from both representative groups of disabled people and business organisations.
Equality B&NES and Bath People First support the proposed policy. Will Bee, Development Worker at Equality B&NES, said, “This issue is of real concern to disabled people. We are pleased the Council is addressing this matter and give our strong support for this approach.“
Andrew Cooper, Bath Business Improvement District (Bath BID) Manager, said, “The Bath BID has advocated for some time the need for retailers to have specific guidance. The lead in period will give businesses the opportunity to become familiar with the rules and is a sensible way to resolve some of the issues. This minimal approach, coupled with clear guidance, is welcome.“
The full proposed policy is available on the Council’s website: http://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=3242&x=1
Businesses should note that:
- Only one ‘A’ Board will be permitted per business (to minimise the obstruction to pedestrians and other footway users).
- The ‘A’ Board must be placed against the boundary of the property and should not obstruct access to statutory undertakers plant and equipment.
- The signs or displays must be robust and self – weighted. The use of sand bags to stabilise signs will not be permitted. Rotating or swinging signs will not be permitted.
- The ‘A’ Board must be removed from the street when the property is closed or street cleansing/street works are being undertaken.
- Except in exceptional circumstances (e.g. where the total width of the footway is less than 1.5 metres), a minimum clear width of 1.5 metres of footway is to be left between the edge of the carriageway, or from any item of street furniture or other permanent structure, and the outer edge of any advertising sign or the goods being displayed. This is to ensure that there is no obstruction or danger to any highway users, particularly the visually impaired, disabled people or those with push chairs, etc.
In addition, ‘A’ Boards may not:
- Be chained, tied or fixed to lamp posts, bollards, seats or other items of street furniture.
- Be fixed into or on the highway. All A Boards must be temporary in nature so they can easily be removed. No excavation will be permitted to install or remove the item.
- Contain political or offensive statements.
- Obstruct sight lines of vehicle drivers.
- Be wider than 660mm or higher than1.25 metres above ground level
Advertising signs and displays may need to be removed during severe weather, events, to permit maintenance or street works or for other reasonable cause. Any additional requirement requested by the Divisional Director – Environmental Services, the police or emergency services, including immediate removal of any item, must also be complied with.
