Traders are to be asked to be “good neighbours” and ensure wheelchair access around A-boards and bins.
Jamie Bostock raised the issue of Southwell’s “cluttered streets” at a meeting of the town council’s town environment committee.
He said: “[A resident told me] they struggled to get their electric wheelchair along the pavements due to A-boards.
“I want people in wheelchairs to be able to get around town.”
Penny Rainbow added that it could pose a problem for visually impaired people, and noted a number of residents use white canes.
She said: “I suppose the get a bit of warning, but you don’t really think you’re going to come across a stray board.”
Councillors also pointed out that businesses’ bins were sometimes obstacles, as some are put out on Saturdays ahead of the Monday collection — meaning they are on the pavement all day Sunday.
Peter Brooker added: “I think we have to tread carefully if we are limiting the way they promote their businesses.”
Jamie Bostock agreed the council should “appeal to their conscience first” after Lynn Harris suggested the council could either say no A-boards, or ask the businesses to just think about where they are putting them.
It was agreed that Lynn Harris would approach businesses to ask them to ensure room was left for wheelchairs when putting out their boards in order to be “good neighbours”.
