Councillors in Burnham-On-Sea are to begin a clampdown on pavement advertising boards in the town centre in a bid to increase safety.
It follows concerns from pedestrians about the growing number of advertising boards positioned outside shops and businesses in the High Street and adjoining streets.
Town Council Clerk Denise Emery told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We have decided to address the concerns. In one recent case, a mobility scooter user had problems using the pavement along the High Street because a very large advertising board was blocking the way.”
“Councillors feel there is a problem and we’re planning to carry out a sweep of the town centre with staff from the highways team at Somerset County Council and Sedgemoor District Council’s licensing team.”
Traders will be informed where boards are felt to be contravening the rules and follow-up legal action will be taken if necessary, as seen earlier this year when a Burnham fish and chip shop was prosecuted.
Councillor Louise Parkin told this week’s meeting of the council’s Town Projects Committee that “a level playing field” for all traders is important to ensure that enforcement is fair.
