"A Board” Code of Conduct

It appears recently that Public Places within the Borough has shown an increase in the number of ‘A’ Boards on the pavements which are causing accessibility issues to the disabled, partially sighted and for use of pushchairs. Therefore the Council has reviewed current practises.  Part of this review has led to the creation of a Code of Conduct. It will be expected that all 'A' Boards will abide by these criteria and if not they will be asked to be removed. This will be self policed by the Highway Inspectors and Town Centre Managers and monitored for 6 months.  

The Council has developed these safety criteria by working together with the Highways Department, Wokingham Area Access Group (WAAG), Town Centre  Managers, and the Chamber of Commerce. This Code of Conduct provides guidance to help make sure that A Boards are safely positioned together with enhancing the area . (See guidance notes below) 

The effectiveness of this guidance will be reviewed after the 6-month monitoring period.   If there has been no change to this problem after this time then the Council will look at alternative options, including the introduction of a policy to license all ‘A’ boards that are on Public Highway. 

This code of conduct is not legally binding, and the Council will take no responsibility for the illegal use of ‘A’ boards. This Code of Conduct will come into place at the beginning of June 2008. 

Vikki Roberts

Roads Manager

Keith Baker

Executive Member for Highways and Transport 

Guidance Notes for placing ‘A’ Boards in public areas

‘A’ boards are a useful way for Local Businesses to promote and display their goods in and around the town centre. However, certain criteria must be met in order to make sure they are maintained in a safe condition and safely positioned together with enhancing the area.

The needs of the public to pass and repass safely when using a public area is paramount and therefore the following requirements need to be met at all times when positioning ‘A’ boards in any place to which the public has access.

·  Freedom of movement for disabled

·  Freedom of movement for pushchairs

·  Flow of pedestrians

·  Access for emergency vehicles at all times.

Failure to meet these requirements may leave the person responsible for the placing of the A board liable to prosecution by the Council.

(One ‘A’ Board per company and it should be sited adjacent to the premises)

N.B. ‘A’ Boards will only be tolerated on pavements where sufficient width of footway can be left clear to ensure safe passage for pedestrian/wheelchair  traffic or those using the area with pushchairs (a minimum area of. 2m should be left clear). However, if the section of pavement is situated in a particularly busy pedestrian area then additional room may be required.

All A boards should be of high quality and should be removed if they become

·        Unsightly or unsafe

·        Inappropriate due to new developments

·        Any protruding elements that can caused a trip or fall

·        Made of materials that could cause injuries (splinters, snagging of clothes).

‘A’ Boards need to be of an appropriate height (approx.750mm to 1000mm) so that they can be clearly seen but do not cause a visibility or a trip hazard.

In the event that an A Board is considered to be causing a nuisance or an obstruction to the free passage of the public, the Council will remove them without notice to the owner thereof and without any liability thereto.