A TIGHTENING of rules covering A-boards and street displays is to be considered by councillors tomorrow.

A guideline which allows council officers to turn a blind eye to obstructions is to be removed from Blackburn with Darwen Council's code of practice and a new guideline aimed at tackling displays on private land is set to be approved.

Council officers are being alerted to their power under the Highways Act to take action against traders who display goods on some private forecourts.

Traders may be ordered to remove their obstructions or fence off their land under Section 166 of the Highways Act.

The council admits it has been forced to drop its pro-active approach to tackling street displays and revert to simply dealing with complaints. This is partly a result of the strong reaction from traders, who are backed by Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade.

The council says it is unable to turn a blind eye to street displays because failure to remove obstructions could be construed as negligence and the council may face legal claims as highways come under its authority.

Officers also say they have noted a "surprising" increase in complaints from traders who, having removed their displays, want others to follow suit.

Members of the council's regeneration committee meet to discuss the changes to the code of practice inherited from Lancashire County Council tomorrow.

The row between traders and Blackburn with Darwen Council over displays began when the council decided to take five traders to court earlier this year for obstructing the highway.

All but one of the court cases brought by the council collapsed, and on one occasion the council's solicitors failed to attend the hearing.

Blackburn and District Chamber Of Trade says shopkeepers are being persecuted by the council.

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