FROM a passionate protest to political mudslinging between councillors – it’s been another week of drama in the continuing A-board saga.

As previously reported in the Andover Advertiser, businesses around the town are in uproar following Hampshire County Council’s decision to send letters threatening to remove their onstreet advertising if they did not do so themselves.

The move sparked a protest in the town last Friday with 20 businesses taking to the streets, alongside their A-boards, in order to voice their anger at the council’s decision.

Angry business owners were joined by UKIP’s parliamentary candidate for North West Hampshire, Diane James, and her colleague, Hampshire county councillor Tony Hooke, who mocked up their own A-board asking Test Valley Borough Council for a meeting on the subject.

However both borough and county authorities are refusing to take responsibility for A-board licensing, leaving traders crying out for answers.

Hampshire County Council’s executive member for economy, transport and environment, Councillor Seán Woodward, released another statement to the Advertiser this week, explaining his view on the licensing situation.

He said: “While some district councils control licences and consents for certain activities on the highway, such as tables and chairs, Test Valley B o r o u g h Council does not currently operate a scheme for A-boards.

“We will continue to explore options with the local business community and also Test Valley Borough Council to find a solution that supports the local economy, while making sure that the public highway is safe for everyone.”

Yet when the Advertiser asked Test Valley if they would be willing to control the Aboards, leader of the council, Ian Carr, released a statement which branded UKIP’s claim of a meeting with him as a “lie” while also rejecting responsibility for licensing.

He said: “As someone who has run small businesses in the town, I understand the importance of advertising and promotion, I am, therefore, very keen to support Andover’s local traders.

“I believe that a licensing scheme for A–boards could potentially offer a solution to the current impasse.

“However, this is a highways matter and is the responsibility of Hampshire County Council as the highway authority.

“The more that I have thought about this and considered the complications and issues, the more I have come to my first view that such a scheme should be administered by the County Council on a county wide basis.”

The debate has caused such a furore that current North West Hampshire MP Sir George Young has now waded in.

Earlier this week he released a statement on his website which said: “There is a dialogue under way between Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council to find a way through.

“On the one hand, there is the legitimate wish of traders to display information about their goods and services and where they are located; and, on the other hand, there are concerns on the part of the visually impaired and about what is sometimes called ‘urban clutter’.

I believe an acceptable compromise is achievable. There is an understanding that, once the current notices to remove the boards expires, there will be a pause for reflection before any action is taken.

“I am sure that, with goodwill, we can find a way through.”

 

Have your say!

How do you feel about the A-board situation? If they are to be licensed, who do you think should be responsible? Write in and tell us or e-mail newsdesk@andoveradvertiser.co.uk.