DISABILITY access campaigners have warned that plans to control obstructions on Darlingtons highways should be properly policed.

Gordon Pybus, chairman of the town's accessible transport group, said the consultation document Pavements for People will be nothing more than a piece of paper unless enforcement measures are put in place.

The document, which was presented to Darlington Town centre Forum on Thursday, has been drawn up by a working group of Darlington Borough Council officers in consultation with Darlington Association on Disability.

It notes that pavements in the borough do not always provide free passage for all pedestrians and is aimed at raising awareness of potential problems, providing guidance on minimising those problems, and outlining legislative powers.

But Mr Pybus believes that the document is worthless unless the problems it explores are policed and has called for this to be looked into thoroughly.

He told the forum: "There must be a full consultation on how it is going to be policed, otherwise it is just words on paper."

Pavements for People is presently the subject of a consultation and the council is looking to consult with a number of interested groups and organisations.

These will include emergency services, disabled groups, businesses and commercial organisations, pedestrian groups, the cycle forum, public utility, health and safety groups and the council's environment scrutiny committee.

One of the main points of concern being looked at is the dangers of A-boards.

The document states: "By their nature, A-boards are a significant hazard in most situations. They can be difficult to see, they are a nuisance and can be a danger."

It proposes to adopt licensing procedures by which they can be removed if they contravene the Highways Act of 1980, by constituting a "nuisance or a danger".

Other areas of interest covered in the document include building work, projections from buildings, pavement cafes, street trading, markets, street collections and door to door collections.

The forum also heard that skips were a cause for concern.

Council leader Councillor John Williams was among a number of members who expressed concern that skips were regularly unlit at night, which was against regulations.