Nigel Adams has launched a petition against the ban on advertising boards in parts of Selby.
Since August traders in Gowthorpe, The Crescent & Finkle Street have been told by North Yorkshire County council that they must not use outdoor promotional boards or risk heavy fines

Nigel Adams hopes the petition will put pressure on officials at Northallerton to reverse the ban which in his opinion is “heavy handed and ridiculous especially during a recession”

Nigel Adams added “Businesses in Selby are already struggling with the recession and the effects of all the traffic disruption in the town. What the council should be doing is coming up with ideas to help businesses and not penalising them”

North Yorkshire’s Highways Agency officers slapped notices on advertising boards outside shops in the town warning them that the boards had to be removed from footpaths. The notice which was headed “illegal” warned that failure to comply would result in the removal of the boards and possible prosecution. Traders were also warned that they would have to pay £25 to recover each board from a council depot within 14 days, after which it would be disposed of.

Local traders and businesses have been outraged by the move and are backing Nigel Adams petition which will be submitted to North Yorkshire County Council bosses. The petition can be signed in many shops on Gowthorpe, The Crescent and Finkle Street.

Tracey Hughes of Tracey’s barbers branded council bosses “small minded”. She stressed that long established advertising boards are vital to attract trade at a time when retail success is critical.

“Why remove A-boards? There hasn’t been an accident caused by them to my knowledge. My takings are down since this ban came in” she blasted.

Lisa’s florist owner, Lisa Walsh said “It’s obvious NYCC has nothing better to do. This is becoming a ghost town. Without advertising outside, people just pass some shops by. It’s petty and people should be allowed to use A-boards”

Nigel Adams hopes to have at least 1000 signatures of residents backing the call to help traders. “NYCC should be on the businesses side and not on their backs. They have been through a lot recently at a difficult time and the county council needs to wake up to economic reality”

A North Yorkshire County Council spokesman said “NYCC as the highways authority has a duty to keep highways clear of obstructions and protect the public’s right to free passage. These can cause obstruction under the Highways Act 1980.