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2nd February 2012
DORCHESTER: Disability campaigners tackle council over advertising boards
By Trevor Bevins The district council has been accused of letting down people with disabilities by failing to take action against a proliferation of advertising boards on pavements in Dorchester. It has been claimed that at a peak around a hundred boards can be found in the town centre – many of them trip hazards for people with poor sight, or mobility problems, and an unnecessary obstacle for those in wheelchairs and for parents with buggies.
Town councillors claim that West Dorset District Council promised to resolve the problem – but has done little, siding with those in business rather than people who need uncluttered access to the streets. Disability campaigners believe there could be a case for legal action against some of the A-board owners. Keith Wilson, from the Town’s Civic Society, said a request was made to the district council for a meeting with traders to try and solve the problem in early December, but nothing had happened. “The situation has meanwhile got worse. There is one shopkeeper, fairly new to the town, who has put up A boards right in the middle of the pavement. He claims he has permission, but I wouldn’t know from who, and where they are is dangerous. Sooner or later there will be an accident.” Dorchester councillor Trevor Jones says he is dismayed by the lack of action. He said that a meeting was held last year at which West Dorset District Council volunteered to lead an attack on the problem. “At that time there were a hundred A-boards in South Street alone. In South Street today one shop has four of these boards…does anyone care for people who are disabled, or in wheelchairs?” Mr Jones claims that the district council has reneged on its promise to clean up the town centre. This is a problem that has got to be tackled,” he said, “It’s frustrating when people who say they are going to do a job don’t then do it.” Town clerk Dennis Holmes confirmed that the town council had written to the district council in early December asking for news of progress but had not had any response at all. District council leader Robert Gould says that despite the complaints his authority is committed to working with business owners, and the organisations which represent them, to try and find a solution. He said that planning regulations and “issues surrounding listed buildings” had made it difficult to find an easy answer to the boards. PICTURE: Dorchester councillor Trevor Jones said he is dismayed at the lack of action from the district council with regards to cracking down on advertising boards on the town's pavements 
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