RESIDENTS are calling on council bosses to adopt rules for taking enforcement action against businesses who continue to flout guidelines on using A-boards, chairs and tables in Frinton’s cluttered shopping street.

Last month Frinton MP Giles Watling urged businesses to keep streets safe for pedestrians in shopping areas, including Connaught Avenue.

He said some shops are causing problems for the visually impaired, wheelchair users, pushchairs and mobility scooters. – and urged businesses to take action voluntarily rather than face boards being removed by council officials.

Tendring Council has published guideline on placing chairs and tables on highways, but has yet to officially adopt any policy.

But Neil Churcher, vice-chairman of Frinton Residents' Association, has called on the council to adopt the guidelines as policy and take action against those who have ignored the request.

He said: “The association has been trying for some time to get Essex County Council or Tendring Council to take action over the obstruction of Connaught Avenue pavements, specifically the licensing of street furniture and tables.

“Tendring Council has set out some regulations on their website, which we agree with and feel should be enforced.

“Unfortunately, we cannot seem to get those responsible to discuss the matter with us, or to take any action.

“The council’s town centre co-ordinator does do her best to keep matters as tidy as possible, but without some form of regulation, enforcement is, to say the least, pretty much impossible.

“One of the establishments has even erected a barrier around their tables and chairs resulting in greatly reducing the width of pavement available pedestrians.”

Tendring Council previously said it is taking a “common sense” approach, but will be looking to take action against unauthorised signs if they are not removed.

It warned that if a pedestrian is injured there could also be public liability issues for businesses.

Fred Nicholls, Tendring Council's cabinet member for corporate enforcement, said he would be happy to review the existing guidelines to see if they could be adopted into policy.

“We are always keen to look at ways of improving our town centres, and we know that A-boards require a balance between allowing businesses to promote themselves but also not over-cluttering the street and potentially impeding access for shoppers and residents,” he said.

“That is why we have guidelines in place, and we already have the power to remove any signs which do not follow them. However, we can review this and consider whether it would be appropriate to adopt this as formal policy and look at more stringent enforcement against persistent offenders.

“In the past, though, we have found almost all businesses comply with the guidelines once we have had a conversation with them. Our policy should be around education as much as enforcement.

“In any event, I call on businesses right across the district to follow our guidelines which aim to get this delicate balance right.”

To view the guidelines, go to tendringdc.gov.uk/planning/planning-applications/advice-making-application.