A-boards backed by County Hall

2:18pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in News By Will Lodge

Blind people have had problems with A-boards in Colchester. Phil Lee negotiates A-boards in Sir Issac Walk. Blind people have had problems with A-boards in Colchester. Phil Lee negotiates A-boards in Sir Issac Walk.

FIRMS who use A-boards on the street outside their business have been backed by Essex County Council.

A new policy has been introduced from the highways department allowing the boards on the public highway.

The policy, with strict guidelines, is the result of a review carried out last year with local councils, businesses and Trading Standards.

Comments(12)

Reginald47 says...
2:22pm Thu 7 Feb 13

What else do you expect from Essex County Council - a pointless organisation.

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Say It As It Is OK? says...
3:48pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Whatever next! I agree with you for a change Reg.

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Boris says...
3:53pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Why don't they licence these A-boards, say a few pounds per week per board? That way the community would get some income from the boards which are a real nuisance where pavements are narrow.
It would be nice to know what the "strict guidelines" amount to.

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25414nora says...
5:48pm Thu 7 Feb 13

I wonder their 'Strict Guidelines' also includes Injury Insurance...
Should a blind person, or a child, is Injured by these obstacles...

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SOMETHING2SAY says...
8:06pm Thu 7 Feb 13

"ouch!"

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Feisty CBC says...
11:15pm Thu 7 Feb 13

They are a pain in the azz and everyone should kick them in to touch.

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Boris says...
11:45pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Feisty CBC wrote:
They are a pain in the azz and everyone should kick them in to touch.
I frequently kick them up against the shop's wall or door.

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Justice79 says...
8:44am Fri 8 Feb 13

Strange that he very same people who are constantly bemoaning the loss of the high street are the exact same ones moaning about businesses trying to promote themselves.

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Say It As It Is OK? says...
8:51am Fri 8 Feb 13

All in favour of businesses promoting themselves but the example shown in the picture that accompanies this article shows massive disregard for pedestrians, particularly the blind and disabled. It would be good if the Gazette was able to get hold of a copy of ECCs policy, with its strict guidelines, so everyone knows what is acceptable because what we see here is not.

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rhetoric says...
9:59am Fri 8 Feb 13

For those who find it difficult to get about, but keep on their feet on the principle of "use it or lose it", obstacles on the footpath can be the last straw.
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On a difficult day when I'm just about able to get to the shops by working out the best route and sticking to it, this sort of thing pushes me to the absolute limit. Weaving between obstacles does of course lengthen the journey considerably. For the younger and able bodied this may seem trifling, but for anyone from the somewhat disabled to the exhausted mum of three pushing a pram and shepherding toddlers, it is a frightful nuisance.
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Apart from some restaurants, A-board owners don't usually number amongst them the more up-market businesses.
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How about a very large off-ground board at the entrance to small streets such as Eld Lane, where businesses can post their signs? Of course they would have to pay a small sum, ouch! Many retail areas do have such signs showing what variety of shops is to be found beyond them, and they are very useful to the shopper new to the area.

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Shambolic says...
2:33pm Fri 8 Feb 13

No chance for a wheelchair on that obstacle course!

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Boris says...
2:08am Sat 9 Feb 13

Sir Isaac's Walk (note correct spelling, Gazette), as shown in the picture, is a pedestrian street so people can walk in the road.
More worrying are A-boards in streets where the pavements are narrow and there is traffic in the road.

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