Letter: Ludlow A-boards have not been an issue until now
Tuesday 9th November 2010, 6:00AM GMT.
Letter: Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith says he will “take action” after claims by Ludlow’s town clerk, Veronica Calderbank that the number of A-boards has increased since the launch of a pilot project to reduce the numbers.
From talking to various shopkeepers, it would appear quite likely this is so.
Several have put out A-boards as a sign of protest and in support of traders who need boards to highlight their businesses.
One of the town’s delights are the nooks and crannies where shops are but they are only viable if they can advertise with an A-board or two on a main thoroughfare.
A-boards haven’t been a problem for years past.
It’s just another part of the silly health and safety culture throttling this country.
Our esteemed councillor and clerk need to understand how to handle people if they wish to reduce the number of A-boards and not think heavy-handed edicts will have everyone jumping.
I, along with many other Ludlow residents, pledge my support for the traders. It will come as no surprise if A-boards suddenly start to multiply if the threatened “action” is taken.
I suggest the councillor starts to do some useful things for the residents of Shropshire if he wishes to get re-elected rather than waste his time and our money on stupid projects like this.
J Farley
Ludlow
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“It’s just another part of the silly health and safety culture throttling this country.”
Health and safety “culture” may be throttling the country, but not in this instance. From what I can see, this dispute is all about obstructing the highway. Under the Highways Acts it’s an offence to obstruct the highway and the pavement (aka footway) is an integral part of the highway.
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The photo shows use of the highway, not obstruction. There is more than enough room for a double child buggy or a motorised wheelchair to get through. It is not an offence to place a portable advert like an A Board on the highway and this has been done for time immemorial in market towns like Ludlow.
Shropshire Council and the Town Council have simply got obsessed with the issue. If an A Board is an obstruction the street scene team will seek its immediate removal. If it is not, its part of the rich character of Ludlow.
I do wish our councillors would turn their attention to the poverty, unemployment and general decrepit state of parts of Ludlow, especially in the area Martin Taylor-Smith represents. But instead they fuss over A Boards.
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I agree. Perhaps they have nothing better to do?
But they DO have something better to do. But have the mania for dealing with small, unimportant issues that are easy to deal with. Beats having to do hard, important stuff, though.
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I agree. There are far more important issues in and around Ludlow which need tacking – such as the appalling state of many of the town’s pavements – broken paving stones, sunken kerb stones, fouling by dogs, litter and chewing gum.
Equally, shops and premises which front onto to a principal street, such as Broad Street, Mill Street and the like, do NOT need “A” boards to advertise their presence – Ludlow Assembly Rooms to take note – we know exactly where you are situated!
However, those businesses and shops sited down lanes and alleyways – such as Pepper Lane – should have the opportunity to advertise their existence.
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