BLACKBURN and District Chamber of Trade has launched a stinging attack on the council over the ban on A-boards and pavement displays.

The group, which represents shopkeepers across the borough, has sent a questionnaire to every member of Blackburn with Darwen Council asking for their opinions on the issue of pavement obstructions and says six have already said the ban should be scrapped.

But the chamber claims they have had a poor response from members because Labour councillors have been told not to return the forms.

Chamber co-ordinator Rita Wakeley claims Councillor Andy Kay, chairman of the regeneration committee, told her questionnaires would be returned because he had told Labour members not to reply.

She fumed: "The 62 elected councillors are public servants and should not be using their position or power to further personal ideals. Their council work should be conducted in a true democratic manner and not a caucus."

Coun Kay denied he had told members not to send the questionnaires back although he revealed he was intending to reply on behalf of the group. He added: "Nobody has been told not to send them back. Some of the questions have been badly phrased and I intend to formally respond with reference to council policy and on behalf of members of my group.

"Some members would not be able to answer some of the questions and I do not want to create the wrong impression."

Despite the alleged 'gag', the chamber has received nine replies - four from Labour councillors, three from Conservative and two from Liberal-Democrats.

Mrs Wakeley said: "Six of them say the ban on A-boards and pavement displays should not continue, two are in favour of the policy continuing while one has an open mind on the issue.

"What we would like to see is the council starting to negotiate with traders rather than taking legal action. We would like them to use their discretion and treat each case individually."

The policy, termed A-board legislation because it affects signs put up outside shops as well as goods on display, came into force following the 1980 Highways Act. It was discussed at a recent meeting between members of the chamber, Coun Kay, his vice-chairman Coun Eileen Entwistle and council officers.

Coun Kay said: "We do police the policy with discretion and we don't take every case to court."

The chamber claims the policy is killing trade and wiping out the individuality of shops who display goods outside.

They have suggested that shopkeepers rent space on the pavement and take out their own public liability insurance but claim both ideas were dismissed by the council.

Coun Kay added: "We are trying to create a safe shopping environment. A flower shop displaying goods outside is probably very attractive but what about a plumber's yard? Are they to be allowed to put bags of sand outside?

"I don't think we are killing trade. If they cannot carry out their business within the property it's not the council's fault."

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