Cambridge City Council cutting the clutter

Cutting the clutter that makes Cambridge inaccessible is the aim of a proposed policy set to be discussed by councillors.

The new policy is set to declutter the streets and improve people’s ease of movement by introducing rules that will remove the number of free standing ‘A’ boards and promotional signs in public areas.

The policy comes after a city centre accessibility review that found that street clutter and obstructions cause difficulties for pedestrians, users of pushchairs and buggies and disabled people.

A consultation involving residents, access groups and businesses was carried out on the proposals earlier this year, and found that the majority of respondents agreed that the council should control the use of advertising signs.

If approved, the policy would: limit ‘A’ boards and promotional signs to a maximum of one per business premise; ensure signs do not cause obstruction; remove signs from public places when the business is closed; and develop a more standard approach to the size and shape of advertising signage.

Councillor Anna Smith, Executive Councillor for Streets and Open Spaces, said: “We know that many people – especially disabled people, pedestrians and those families with pushchairs - find it difficult to get around because of street clutter. These proposals recognise this and try to balance the need to address the problem with the legitimate need for businesses to advertise their services. We will continue to work closely with businesses, Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID) and traders’ organisations to make sure that the new arrangements are clear and fair to all.”