Gloucestershire County Council is reminding local businesses to think about pedestrians when putting A boards or furniture on the street outside their premises.
In March this year the county council responded to concerns from shoppers in Cotswold towns by asking shop owners to make sure that items for sale, pilule tables and chairs, sickness and A boards were not blocking pavements.
Items placed in the street by businesses, such as A boards have been causing issues for some local people and visitors, in particular those who are visually impaired and pedestrians with mobility issues.
It is important to have vibrant and thriving street scenes in towns and villages across Gloucestershire and the county council is keen to support local businesses in achieving this.
Where A boards or other street furniture are not blocking a pavement or causing a hazard, we are usually flexible.
However, if the council receives complaints or if street furniture is deemed to be blocking the way, businesses will be asked to remove them as they could be liable for any accidents they cause. Traders are advised to seek their own independent legal advice if they are unsure about placing street furniture on pavements.
Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways and flood said, “We work really hard to support Gloucestershire businesses wherever we can and we need them to do their bit too by making sure our roads and pavements are safe for everyone who uses them.”
Cirencester and Tetbury are two of the Cotswold towns which local people have raised as areas for the county council to look at.
Cllr Joe Harris, local county councillors for Cirencester said, “I ask traders to take a common-sense approach and consider any hazards they may have outside their premises because I strongly sympathise with the difficulties blind, partially sighted and disabled people face when they need to get around town.”
Cllr Tony Hicks, local county councillor for Tetbury said, “Local people have told me how difficult it is to get around town when traders block the pavements so I support the county council in enforcing this where necessary.”
The elderly, the disabled and those using mobility scooters particularly struggle with obstructions so if you see a hazard on a footway or road please report it at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/reportit or call 08000 514514.