The new city-wide policy is geared to decluttering the streets and improving people’s ease of movement by introducing rules that will reduce the number of free standing ‘A’ boards and promotional signs in public areas.
The policy follows a city centre accessibility review that found that street clutter and obstructions cause difficulties to pedestrians, users of pushchairs and buggies and disabled people, including those with wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Consultation on a draft policy involving residents, access groups and businesses was carried out on the proposals earlier this year. This found that the majority of respondents agreed that the council should control the use of advertising signs.
It would apply to all free-standing advertising structures, including ‘A’ boards, directional signs and information signs, placed on the ground beside public roads, pedestrian areas and open spaces.
If approved, the policy would:
- Limit ‘A’ boards or similar signs to a maximum of one per business premises
- Ensure signs are placed against buildings and do not cause an obstruction
- Remove signs from public places when the business is closed
- Develop a more standard approach to the size, shape and design of advertising signage.
The council had earlier surveyed advertising signage in the city centre, sought the views of local businesses and looked at how other similar towns and cities manage street advertising and signage.
Cllr Anna Smith, Executive Councillor for Streets and Open Spaces, said: “We know that many people – especially disabled people, pedestrians and those families with pushchairs - find it difficult to get around because of street clutter.
“These proposals recognise this and try to balance the need to address the problem with the legitimate need for businesses to advertise their services.
“We will continue to work closely with businesses, Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID) and traders’ organisations to make sure that the new arrangements are clear and fair to all.”
Under the proposals, there would be a four month grace period during which the council would work with its partners to explain the new policy to businesses. Council officers will visit businesses to discuss any questions they may have about how the policy may affect them.
The purpose of this grace period is to ensure all businesses are fully aware of the new rules and associated enforcement procedures which would be implemented on 20 November.
After that, if the signage is not removed, council officers may remove it and the business would face a £70 charge with 28 days in which to collect their sign. Repeat breaches could, under certain circumstances, lead to legal action.
Cambridgeshire County Council has agreed to devolve legal enforcement powers relating to advertising signs on the public highway to the council.
A report detailing the policy was published yesterday (Tuesday) and will be considered by Cambridge City Council’s Community Services Scrutiny Committee on 29 June.
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