A CRACKDOWN on A-boards cluttering Worcester city centre is finally coming into force - with traders facing fines of around £80 for stepping out of line.

After years of concern Worcester City Council is ready to launch a new plan to reduce the advertising hoardings blight.

It means:

- All A-boards must be "adjacent" to each shop, with a maximum size of one metre high and one metre wide

- They must be positioned to allow at least 1.8 metres of pavement on each side after concerns about blind and wheelchair-bound people

- Tying them to lampposts, benches and bollards will be outlawed, and they cannot rotate, move or present a hazard to shoppers

After the recession in 2008 the council decided to allow traders to put A-boards across the city to boost business, leading to huge clutter.

In recent years serious concerns have been expressed over their untidy appearance, and there are currently more than 160 in the city centre alone.

The authority now wants to use powers available in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to launch the crackdown, allowing it to fine traders and even take them to court in extreme cases.

The council's planning committee is meeting next Thursday, January 22, to take a vote on approving the measures, which would kick in from April.

If it does, a debate will then take place around the exact level of fine, which is expected to be around £80.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic prosperity, said: “They are an important form of advertising for businesses and most use them responsibly but some A-boards present a serious hazard to pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities or sight problems.

"Until now we have not used the powers available to us to clamp down on the misuse of A-boards and other street advertising, but I am hoping the planning committee will agree to take this action to ensure Worcester is a better and more attractive place to shop.

"This is a common sense approach and one that strikes a sensible balance between a blanket ban on A-boards and an expensive licensing scheme."

It has been welcomed by New College Worcester, which helps blind and partially sighted people.

Sarah Williams, head of mobility, said: "A-boards cause an obstruction for students, making travel hazardous for them throughout the city.

"Some of the A-boards are quite unstable and have the potential to cause injury to students."

Kate Semczyszyn, store manager at White Stuff in the High Street, said: “As a High Street shop keeper, I'm in favour of this.

"I appreciate that whilst many traders comply with council regulations, the city centre is often awash with A-boards on certain trading days."

The council’s team of civil enforcement officers would begin monitoring the displaying of advertising boards and regularly remind traders of the policy once it comes into action.

It insists that businesses already displaying A-boards in line with the guidelines will not be affected.