An A-board licence allows removable A-boards to be placed on the pavement outside business premises.
Placing A-boards on public highways can be a nuisance and danger to highway users. In particular, this can apply more to people that are disabled or vulnerable.
We will pilot an A-board policy in Hebden Bridge to deal with those that obstruct or create access issues.
What an A-board is
It is an A-framed advertisement board or other freestanding weighted board. They are designed to be placed on the highway and used to advertise businesses and/or their products.
For the pilot, they should not:
- Hang from a frame.
- Swing or spin.
- Be propped up against a wall.
- Be secured to any highway street furniture.
What area the pilot will cover
The pilot applies to highways within the conservation area of Hebden Bridge. See: Conservation areas map.
Please note: This does not include private property or land.
What is classed as a 'public highway'
Defined in law as a footway, verge, carriageway or public right of way between the boundaries of private property. (This could be adopted or unadopted.)
When the pilot will start
- 10th May 2023. There will be an engagement phase to explain the A-Board policy to local businesses and communities within the pilot area.
- 15th June 2023. Start of pilot.
- 31st May 2024. End of pilot.
How to lawfully use one
Within the conservation area, you must have a licence from Calderdale Council and make sure you comply with its conditions.
- Cost: £100.
- For details of the process, see: A-board guidance.
What the owner is responsible for
- To make sure there is enough space. There must be (1.8 metres) clearance on the highway with the A-Board in place.
- Position it in front of your premises (within the curtilage) and at the back edge of the footway.
- Make sure it complies with these points, it must not:
- Be more than 60cm wide and 100cm high.
- Hang from a frame.
- Swing or spin.
- Be propped up against a wall.
- Be secured to any highway street furniture.
What will happen if you do not comply with the policy
- We are committed to taking enforcement action. We will use relevant enforcement powers where:
- there is no licence for the A-board;
- or the licence is not being complied with.
- Sanctions may include service of a notice to remove the A-Board or immediate confiscation of the A-board.
- If it is necessary to act, the licence will be reviewed. You will be given the chance to state your case.
- A decision as to whether a licence will be revoked following enforcement action will be taken within 14 days.
What to do if you see one causing a problem
If you believe one is causing difficulty for the public due to its location on the street, report it.
- Report an A-board obstructing a public highway and we will investigate it.
- If possible, provide a photo of the A-board and tell us why you think it is a problem.
What we will do about reports of them being a problem
- Your report will be recorded.
- We will assess the information you have given and decide if we need to investigate further. Note: If it is not on the public highway, we cannot take enforcement action.
- If it does need to be investigated, our Officers will visit the location. This is to see if it complies with the policy.
- If it does not comply, we will act based on the risk presented. This can mean its immediate removal, notice to remove or any other appropriate action.
- We will let you know the outcome.
- Please note: They can be removed without notice if:
- there is a significant breach with our policy;
- and/or a risk to the public.
How to reclaim one that we have confiscated
A-Boards will be confiscated for a minimum of 14 days whilst a licence review takes place.
There is a £250 charge to recover an A-board we have removed it from the public highway. The charge covers the cost of removal and temporary storage. This can be paid upon collection.
Confiscated A-boards will be destroyed after 30 days if they not reclaimed by the owner.
The pilot will be reviewed regularly over the 12 months of the pilot.
Affected business owners will be written to if any changes are made to the policy.
Other options
We want to work with businesses and the community to achieve a sensible and practical solution to advertising. Whatever you choose to use in the future, be mindful that fly-posting on street furniture and highways land is illegal. Also, it is subject to enforcement action.
The laws and legislation that allows us to regulate them
- Highways Act 1980:
- Section 130 – Protection of public rights.
- Section 137 – Penalty for wilful obstruction.
- Section 143 – Power to remove structures from highways.
- Section 148 – Penalty for depositing things or pitching booths (and such) on the highway.
- Section 149 – Removal of things so deposited on the highway as to be a nuisance (and such).
- Town Police Clauses Act 1847, Section 28.
- Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Part 4 – Community Protection Notices.