Councillor looks to discuss policy on ‘dangerous’ advertising boards in town centre

A pet peeve of a councillor is set to be debated again, with a possible revival of the idea to charge for, and enforce restrictions on A-board advertisements in the town centre.

The Employment, Business & Investment Scrutiny Committee was firming up its work programme, which includes a look a the public realm of Wrexham town centre. The topic selection form suggests the committee considers how to maximise opportunities for the Council to contribute to improving the public realm in the town centre, as well as recommending a prioritised list of improvements to be taken forward for 2020/21 – within the funding available.

Some suggested ideas include improving Henblas Street lighting with new ‘traditional Heritage style’ lighting columns with LED lanterns throughout the area to enhance the visitor experience and ‘support a growing evening economy’.

Other possible projects include “consolidation of the current directional finger posts and incorporation of new signage to promote new tourist destinations including Tŷ Pawb”, “installation of new visitor maps in and around the Town Centre to represent our new tourist destinations” (which has happened) as well as “installation of Variable Message / Matrix Signs located at the key arterial routes into the Town Centre to assist to aid traffic congestion to assist with event planning”.

Interestingly the materials used for any improvements will be considered for their green credentials, with it also noted that good quality materials cost money, and the implication that ‘limited’ funding could mean poorer materials have to be used.

The Chief Officer for Housing and Economy states: “Public realm improvements have always been a key part of any regeneration plan for town centres.

“However, the work can be expensive if using good quality materials and capital funding has been limited in recent years.

“Any future investment will need to consider ‘whole life costing’ and carbon footprint – for example, natural stone and slate is often imported but this might not support the Council‟s climate emergency goals and alternative materials or less emphasis on cost might be required to secure materials closer to home.”

Earlier this week Cllr Alun Jenkins requested that the ‘existing public realm’ was also added to the discussion planned as a result of the topic request, ‘in-particular a-boards and advertising things that litter these streets’.

Cllr Jenkins explained: “Many disabled people now are reluctant to come in to town because they feel they are a danger, especially if it is windy or wet or whatever, and these things are blown around.

“They are a distraction from the town centre.

“In 2013 or so, that time there was a proposal to have some kind of control over a-boards and encroachment but that was never proceeded with.”

Back in 2013 a three page policy document formed to create ‘uniformity’ across Wrexham – the town centre, and rural areas, which referenced ‘non approved advertising boards’ however the policy dropped quietly off the radar.

Readers may remember this as a topic discussed more recently, in 2018 Cllr Jenkins wanted to see a revival of the policy along with enforcement and fees, saying back then: “It is something that needs to be managed, and someone has to pay for everything what we do in town.

“I can’t see why shop keepers should be different and saved from a small charge for advertising. It would reduce numbers, and make sure they have one outside their shop, not a-boards over 100 yards away.

“It is standardising, not clearing of it all. I asked for officers across the council to deal with matters of encroachment and a-boards as far back as 2013 and no body objected to it at the time. The working group did the job, and it died a death so I am asking to put it back on the agenda.”

Back in 2018 it was suggested a proper debate could be held via a topic request form, with Cllr Jenkins trying to get it back on the agenda again now in 2020.

At the meeting this week the Chairman Cllr Paul Roberts noted that current public realm elements will be covered in the forthcoming report.

Our tweet covering the meeting live noting the suggestion had a mixed response on the social network.

As the discussion goes forward the Town Centre Forum is stated in the topic form as being a suggested stakeholder to consult with to “…obtain their views on the prioritisation of improvements to the public realm”.

Top pic: Six a-board style signs on Bank Street, one warning of the perils of not having decent coffee.