TRAFFIC wardens policing A-boards in and around Kendal was one of the ideas to emerge from a day-long brainstorming session, reports Ellis Butcher.

Business representatives and disabled groups took part in a discussion to identify problems and the potential solutions to the long-running issue.

But members of South Lakeland District Council's development and overview scrutiny committee found the path to progress littered with obstructions as they attempted to identify how the needs of traders and the requirements of the disabled could work in harmony.

An interim report will now be compiled for consideration at its next meeting on June 19 when recommendations for action are expected to follow.

Tuesday's hearing follows the proliferation of advertising boards placed outside Kendal's

yards and business, and was widened to

encompass the town's growing caf culture and any potential need for controls.

There has been growing concern among disabled, blind and partially-sighted people that journeys along Kendal's busy pavements or lanes are becoming increasingly hazardous, due to A-boards, display goods and street furniture.

Those on both sides of the argument were united in the call for "compromise", but acknowledged the difficulties of a catch-all solution.

Among the ideas suggested was a public/private sector funded signage scheme, licensed and fixed A-boards, a dedicated "clear area" for pedestrians and disabled people, a standard council issue A-board, more ladder signs on walls or fingerposts.

Others ideas included Disability Awareness consultations with shopkeepers, a Disabled Friendly Town Centre Scheme, licensing and charging caf culture enterprises to fund any increased signage.

Peter Boyd, centre manager of the Elephant Yard Shopping Centre and chair of Kendal Retail Forum, said controls were needed for A-boards and that any blanket ban would be unacceptable.

He said: "Whether it is sensible or not, I am not sure, but we now have a number of traffic enforcement officers on the streets day in, day out throughout South Lakeland. They are a figure of authority they could be given the powers to, within reason, enforce the problem of A-boards."

Ray Churchett, proprietor of Kendal Food Hall, said licensed A-boards could present just as much an obstacle as an unlicensed one. He urged the council to determine a caf culture policy and that "more liberal, less legalistic" planning consent may be required to fix signs to buildings.

Sally Barker, acting chair of South Lakeland Access Committee, said the issue was not easy to resolve due to the differing requirements and experiences of those with different disabilities. "With the irregularity of the boards and with a disabled person needing a lot of space, it is quite difficult," she said.

Sonya Morgan, chief executive of South Lakeland Voluntary Society for the Blind, said that with a third of the population over 65, or one-in-three, suffered from sight problems and that South Lakeland had the highest proportion of visually-impaired residents in Cumbria.

"It is the lack of consistency A-boards moving all the time or new items of street furniture sprouting up." Of the traffic warden suggestion, she said: "I thought it was quite an innovative idea but I would not want the job!"

The meeting heard any ban or licensing would require daily enforcement and that "persuasion and education" may be more suitable.

An outright ban on A-board seems an unlikely option following representations on both sides of the argument, while "compromise" was the buzz word of the day.

June 5, 2003 14:00