From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, August 02, 2007

DEVON County Council is to carry out a blitz on traders illegally obstructing pavements with advertising boards in North Devon.

The County Council is concerned about the increasing number of illegal signs being placed on public highways which can be a danger to pedestrians, especially those who are disabled and partially sighted.

Highways Superintendents and Police will be patrolling towns and village centres in North Devon over the coming weeks. They will remind traders of the regulations and investigate complaints. Devon County Council's policy states that signs are allowed if they extend no further than 450mm from the shop-front and leave two metres clearance for pedestrians.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "Signs can be an obstruction if they are not displayed in line with the rules and regulations, which are laid out very clearly and exist for the benefit of everyone. We all want to support local business and local traders, but it must be done without hampering access or safety."

The owners of unauthorised signs will be asked to remove them, but when they are unavailable or repeat the offence, the signs will be removed by the County Council.

Signs will be taken to a suitable depot to await collection by the owner except in the case of a poster, or similar, necessarily destroyed in the course of its removal. A charge of £30 will be made for the recovery of each sign. Where appropriate Devon County Council will initiate legal proceedings and seek recovery of all costs.

Notes for Editors:

Councillor Margaret Rogers 01297 680384.