Councillors who took it upon themselves to clean road signs have been banned from using ladders because of health and safety concerns.
Officials at Southend-on-Sea Council have written to members urging them to refrain from climbing when sprucing up signage across England’s newest city because of the risk to road users.
Some criticised the “pathetic” request, adding that the work had been carried out for several years with support from residents.
David McGlone, one of the city’s Tory councillors, said: “I don’t see their point about using ladders. If they are put up correctly, ladders are very safe. I’ve been doing it years and don’t see what this fuss is all about.”
Mark Flewitt, a former Southend councillor, has also taken action himself to clean road signs in recent years.
He said: “It’s pathetic and I thought I’d read the email wrong at first. They are trying to control adults and it won’t work. We will keep up doing this.”
Andy Wilkins, the chairman of the Southend West Young Conservatives, said: “I think it is 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.”
