Are pavement signs really illegal?

[Markandshez]

Bit of a random one I know but there seems to be lots of confusing reports. I am not talking about the tacky signs on lamposts. I mean the proper "A boards" or "sandwich boards" you often see in small Market towns. I know some councils are removing them, claiming the usual "vunerable people" may run into them (whilst still painting their lamposts so they "blend into the scenery - explain that one councils!". I heard one council lost a case (congelton ?) as the traders claimed that the council couldn't stop them promoting their business. I know they can be a pain but they have been a part of British Business life for donkeys years and, as long as they are professionally produced I don't see a problem. Many small traders rely on them as they cant afford the high business rates and rents of the High Street. Someone told me they had to be a certain weight, but does anyone have a definitive answer?

[brachiopod]

Like many things, there is no specific law directly applied to A-boards and the like - however, they can fall under a number of other laws. 'Obstructing the Highway' and suchlike are the usual ones.

It all depends on how your local authority chooses to interpret and apply these laws, and will take into consideration who owns the frontage, how narrow / busy the street or pavement is etc.

They will consider whether the sign causes an obstruction or constitutes a hazard either by its position or design.

[cascarelli]

I would imagine any sign would need planning permission from the Council and, if it doesn't have it, it would no doubt be removed.

[johncas]

In Leicester you can put an A frame out as long as it dose not obstruct the highway and make the road a slarlum course all the newsagents have the local newspaper a frames outside