STREET furniture is cluttering up the town according to Harpenden Society Secretary Peter Barrett who attributes its spread to the economic downturn. He claims A boards and signs, including tables and chairs outside restaurants, seem to be growing by th

STREET furniture is cluttering up the town according to Harpenden Society Secretary Peter Barrett who attributes its spread to the economic downturn.

He claims 'A' boards and signs, including tables and chairs outside restaurants, seem to be growing by the month as people compete for business.

Mr Barrett, of The Common, Kinsbourne Green, said: "Pedestrians' safety is put at greater risk, particularly in the case of young mothers with pushchairs and the disabled in wheelchairs who are sometimes forced onto the roadway to avoid pavement obstacles.

"There are not enough controls and people seem to be very unclear as to who is responsible for implementing them."

A spokesperson for St Albans District Council (SADC) said the council had taken over the responsibility of licensing tables and chairs on the highway from the county council in October 2008.

But she said all 'A' boards not on private forecourts remained the responsibility of the county council's highways department although negotiations were taking place concerning the possible transfer of responsibility to SADC's licensing section.

She said: "This would simplify matters by making one body responsible for the street scene and the licensing and enforcement of anything placed on pavements.