TRADERS and councillors in a busy tourist town will work together to ensure that Aboards and street furniture are not a health and safety hazard for visitors.

Talks are to take place in Upton-upon-Severn with the aim of ensuring pavements are safe for pedestrians without stopping shopkeepers from promoting their businesses.

While councillors do not want to outlaw the use of Aboards, there are concerns that they are causing difficulties, especially for people in mobility scooters and in areas where pavements are narrow.

Upton Town Council previously agreed to forbid the use of A-boards around the historic Pepperpot and nearby roundabout, but it is now keen to come up with a clear and enforceable policy for the whole town.

Members unanimously backed a proposal to form a joint stakeholder group, inviting Upton Tourism and Trade Association (UTTA), Worcestershire highways department and street scene officers from Malvern Hills District Council to take part in discussions.

Coun Mary Lismore said: “I have no problem with traders putting things outside, but if that is dangerous to people then we have to get it to stop.”

Annette Keyworth, chairman of UTTA, said she would welcome a policy being in place, but that the council should “tread carefully” with it.

She feels “reasonable” regulations governing the size of A-boards and the amount of space that must be left on pavements would be to the town’s benefit.

“To me, A-boards and people having things outside brings the town alive and makes it vibrant,” she said.

“But I do think that there should be a reasonable policy in place so people have something to follow.

“The health and safety side of it is very important. Yes, you can have things outside your shop, but people do need to be able to get past safely.”