Recently a number of contributors to Rye News have commented on the difficulties that advertising boards (A-boards) outside shops cause given the narrow width of most of Rye’s pavements and have questioned what bodies such as the Rye Conservation Society (RCS) are doing about it.
All the roads and the public pavements in Rye are the responsibility of East Sussex County Council Highways so the RCS has contacted them to find out what is the situation regarding A-boards.
The highways department has confirmed that as a general rule East Sussex Highways tolerates the use of one A-board per business without having to apply for a licence and payment of a fee, provided that the following requirements are met:
- The footway must be wide enough to accommodate the A-board, whilst allowing a clear width of pavement for pedestrians of a minimum of 1,200mm, and preferably 1,500mm.
- The A-board is required to be immediately adjacent to the front elevation of the shop so that it is within the owner’s view and control.
- The A-board should be placed out in the same location every day. Any A-boards that are placed remotely from the premises may be removed upon complaint.
- A-boards may not be chained to street furniture, must be removed outside of trading hours, and are placed out at the owner’s liability.
Whilst the difficulties that the shops, cafes and restaurants have and are suffering due to the Covid-19 emergency cannot be ignored, the width of the pavements in Rye and the heights of the kerbs do make it perilous for groups such as the visually impaired and parents with prams and small children if the pavement width is reduced.
So if anyone feels that an A-board does not meet these conditions and is causing a problem do not hesitate to let East Sussex Highways know by raising a new case or cases. This can be done by phoning, emailing or going online and please attach a photograph, if at all possible.
Image Credits: Allan Thomson .
Why are these A-boards allowed at all ? All businesses should be on a level playing field, either everyone has an A-board or no one has an A-board. Why should some people obstruct pavement space to freely advertise and draw attention to their business as if it’s more important than others ? Further they are a distraction and an eyesore. Our pavements are narrow, people stroll to look up at our buildings, these A-boards are clutter that force people into the road. That’s particularly unfair on the elderly or disabled. Layla Mezze Grill and The Fig have particularly offensive large flapping signage that sways in the wind. It’s the type that was created for beaches and beachshops, not a historic high street. And the always popular Knoops has two large signs which forces their queues to clutter the pavements and constantly forces the passerby into the road.
I now understand Rye Conservation Society are of not much assistance on this matter. That must be why they ignore emails. But I respect that Mr Luckett has taken the time to write this piece. Please, everyone who objects to this offensive pavement clutter, make an effort to contact ESH. More effort needs to made to keep Rye authentic and unique.