Ilkley traders attempting to promote their businesses by 'cluttering' the pavement could soon find themselves in hot water.

Bradford Council has decided to clamp down on offenders who persistently cause an obstruction.

The move follows concerns that the 'A-boards - increasingly used by businesses to advertise their trade - are creating a hazard for the public, particularly people with mobility problems.

The council has previously tried to operate a voluntary code of practice but believes this has proved unsuccessful.

After preliminary consultations with a range of access groups, such as the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the council will now be removing all unlawful signs, displays and other obstructions which block footpaths. Persistent offenders will be prosecuted.

David Giddings, a spokesman for The Ilkley Business Forum, said if the council wanted to clear up clutter, it should make a start by removing the advert-laden bins which have appeared in The Grove.

He said: "I'm not sure if you can compare The Grove with say a narrow pavement in Bradford. I think these boards are now something of a tradition in Ilkley. The Grove itself is very wide and the vast majority of these A-boards are placed at the pavement's edge, not in the middle where people are likely to fall over them."

Mr Giddings said: "The council should stop messing about. Those bins should be removed immediately and taken to a yard until this matter is sorted out. They are not at in-keeping with Ilkley and The Grove."

However, Coun Latiff Darr, executive member for transportation and planning, is determined to tackle the 'clutter' issue.

"For years we have taken a softly-softly approach to these obstructions but the problem is rapidly getting out of hand and A-boards and pavement displays are becoming a real hazard," he said.

Coun Darr said the boards were not only dangerous for pedestrians, they were also ugly and a 'poor advert' for the district.

However, before any action is taken Coun Darr said he was keen to hear the views of residents.

Wrote to Head of Transportation and Planning, c/o The Access Officer, 3rd Fllor, Jacobs Well, Manchester Road, BD1 5RW. The deadline is March 31.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.