Street sign cleaners banned from using ladders over health & safety fears

PUBLIC-spirited councillors who wipe grime off street signs have been ordered to stop using ladders over health and safety fears. The group have proudly been getting out buckets of water and cloths to give their city a spring clean in recent years. But, in an email, a senior council official has told them to stop […]

PUBLIC-spirited councillors who wipe grime off street signs have been ordered to stop using ladders over health and safety fears.

The group have proudly been getting out buckets of water and cloths to give their city a spring clean in recent years.

But, in an email, a senior council official has told them to stop using their steps to avoid accidents in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

David McGlone, a Tory councillor, said: “If they are put up correctly, ladders are very safe. I’ve been doing this for years and don’t see what the fuss is about.”

Mark Flewitt who was a councillor from 2004 until last year, fumed: “It is pathetic. I thought I’d read the e-mail wrong at first.

“They are trying to control adults. It won’t work. We are going to keep doing this.”

Andy Wilkins, chair of Southend West Young Conservatives, said: “It’s absolutely absurd that a simple gesture like cleaning street signs is now being frowned upon by the council bosses because of health and safety fears.”

The safety edict has also been met with derision in the city.

One resident said: “It’s utter nonsense — the world has gone mad.”

Another joked: “I’m surprised they let councillors leave their homes anymore, in case they can’t cross the road without taking a risk.”

The council’s deputy leader Ron Woodley confirmed the email had been circulated.

He said: “Using ladders to clean signs close to the road puts the councillor and road users at risk.

“Any cleaning undertaken without appropriate safety measures in place runs the risk of a serious accident.”