PARISH councillors are calling for on-street advertising boards to be banned from some narrow city centre thoroughfares to provide easier passage for the disabled.

The City of Durham Parish Council would like Saddler Street and Silver Street to be made A board-free zones.

It follows disability audits by an inclusivity design consultant in 2019 and 2020, to establish the level of accessibility in the city centre and to identify barriers and other potential issues which may face disabled people visiting Durham.

The use of A boards by local businesses on the public highway was highlighted as a recurring issue in the audits.

Durham Access for All group has agreed with the findings.

Susan Walker, chair of the city parish’s licensing committee, said while city businesses should be able to advertise their services to visitors and residents, modern technology, electronic advertising and smart phones should be used, without the need to block the public highway.

The parish council has written to Durham County Council, asking it to take action following the audits.

In response, the county council said it is engaging with businesses on the issue.

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