Anger in Goole over new fee for advertising boards outside shops

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said the new regulations were designed to "make the public highway safer for everyone"

Traders in Goole are to be charged £100 a year to be allowed to display advertising signs on the street.

The owners of some shops in the town are unhappy about new regulations on A-boards introduced by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

As well as the fee, the boards will have to be located in a specific place and be a certain size.

The council said the regulations were designed to "make the public highway safer for everyone".

Melanie Charlton, who runs an affordable living charity, said she could not believe it when she got the bill through the post.

"They're saying they're not good yet we can have one if we pay £100," she said.

"It's a disgrace, absolute disgrace, won't be paying it."

She added: "They need to be concentrating more on the footpaths, for example."

Melanie Charlton said she would not be paying the new A-board fee

A council spokesperson said other local authorities had introduced similar A-board licensing schemes.

"Historically, across the East Riding, A-boards have been used by businesses on the highway in busy high street areas without having any permission to do so," the spokesperson said.

"This unregulated use has created difficulties for some pedestrians, such as those with impaired sight or mobility, people with pushchairs or mobility scooters or those on narrow footpaths."

"The council has implemented the A-board licensing scheme to allow businesses to advertise on A-boards providing they follow the scheme criteria."

They added the annual fee would "be used solely for the management and operation of the scheme".

Ross Jackson said shopping in Goole was "not like we're in Oxford Street"

Ross Jackson, who runs a clothing shop on Pasture Road, said: "What amused me the most is that they're potentially a hazard, but once we've paid our £100 does that mean that the hazard goes away?

"So it's just beyond belief really.

"And if you take a look down the street here it's not like we're in Oxford Street you know, it's Goole."