Proliferation of A boards on The Walk causing concern

A boards on The Walk causing an obstruction

The number of A boards gracing The Walk has attracted complaints that businesses are not following the rules of the conservation area.

At least 12 boards are present on both sides of the narrow ginnel, sparking concern for the visually impaired, wheelchair users, parents with prams and the elderly.

Frank Salt, a guide dog user from Castleton, commented: “The increase in A boards is a real hazard for blind people.

“The problem, as with cars parked on pavements, is that they are moveable, unlike authorised pavement furniture, meaning even on familiar routes my dog, Lewis, has to make decisions each time we encounter an A board, which side to pass it on for example.

“If the boards are placed in the centre of the pavement, I can find myself far too close to the kerb edge and passing traffic.”

Greg Couzens, whose hairdressing salon is on The Walk and wants to see the boards removed, said: "I have run a successful business on The Walk for over 33 years, now is the time for action.

"A licence is required for an A board in most cases and even where this is granted it can have a series of conditions attached to it. Councils are understandably concerned to keep the highways safe and unobstructed.

"In many areas of the country local councils have been taking action to remove illegal A boards. Boards can be removed if they are oversized, if no licence is displayed by the trader and particularly where no licence has been applied for. After a warning letter has been issued boards are often impounded and traders must pay a fee for their return."

The Walk is not the only street in Rochdale Town Centre to be covered with A boards: over 30 boards can be counted from the bottom of Yorkshire Street to Baillie Street.

Both streets are encompassed within a Conservation Area boundary.

The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires local authorities to survey conservation areas to preserve and enhance the architecture or historical interests.

A 2011 document by Rochdale Borough Council states: “The ginnels [including The Walk] vary in their character and appearance; some go through buildings while others contain attractive flights of steps.

“Some are in better condition than others but, as a group, they have considerable potential to enliven the town centre if appropriately enhanced and promoted.”

Martin Taylor, head of environmental management at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “A board complaints are dealt with on an individual basis.

“If they are causing either a nuisance or a danger, we remove them ourselves or apply to the court to have them removed, giving a reasonable period of notice to the business owner.”