Plan B Forum

Killjoy council chiefs have banned Jubilee bunting from town centre lamp posts - over health and safety fears.



Traders in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, planned to hang several hundred feet of flags along the High Street to mark the event next weekend.

But Somerset County Council says every lamppost would have to be ‘stress tested’ to ensure they are strong enough to hold the lightweight decorations

The town’s Chamber of Trade was also prevented from hanging bunting across the road because of height restrictions.

Spokesman Jonathan Walter said: 'We simply wanted to hang the bunting between shops and lamp posts. What damage can a bit of string and plastic do?”

'I am disappointed that the County Council feels there is a need to stress test lamp posts for something as lightweight as bunting just because there are concerns the bunting might blow down on to pedestrians.'

'It's just standard bunting, it's not anything other than that, the lamp-post and street furniture belong to the county council and they weren't happy with it.

'I'm in disbelief - it's like everyone thinks, it's just a bit of bunting what damage can it do? But they were adamant and we were told we didn't have permission to do it.

'No-one wants anyone to get hurt by any bunting, but bunting has been used for years and years.

Town Councillor Phil Harvey added: 'This is crazy - stress testing the lamp posts would obviously cost considerably more than the bunting itself.

'It’s important that the town centre should look as welcoming as possible during the Jubilee.'

Town clerk Eileen Shaw said: 'I know there is an issue going on about the bunting and whether it can be put across the pavement and round the lighting columns.