Outrage in village as woman ordered to remove flower pots by ‘health and safety’ jobsworth
Judith Seeley, 58, said East Riding of Yorkshire Council contacted her about the pots despite them having been there for years.
A woman has been forced by her local council to remove flower pots from in front of her house. Judith Seeley, 58, said East Riding of Yorkshire Council contacted her about the pots despite them having been there for years.
She got the email on September 2, asking her to remove the pots over concerns they were causing an obstruction to the path in front of her Patrington home. Judith told the Tory-led council that the plant pots “caused no access problems” and that she “received much admiration” for them. She added that her mother, who uses a mobility scooter, doesn’t have difficulty with the path. Judith said: "Everyone who passes admires or comments on them, and I have never had any issues or been told they're causing a problem." East Riding of Yorkshire Council said they received complaints that the plant pots took up “a third of the footpath”, causing a “safety hazard”, and gave Judith a week to remove them.
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The 58-year-old said: "It's frustrating when you try to enhance the village. You've got to abide by the rules but it is a shame, it just takes one person to complain," reports GB News.
A spokesman for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “We received a complaint from a member of the public about these planters causing an obstruction on the public footpath.
“Following an investigation by our officers, these planters were found to take up a third of the footpath. This house is on the edge of a junction on to Eastgate in Patrington, and because of the amount of footpath these planters take up, they may force people out into the road.
"They are therefore causing a safety hazard to people using the path, including children on bikes, people with wheelchairs, pushchairs and people with limited vision.
"The council has a duty to keep public footpaths free from obstructions. So, unfortunately, we had to contact the owner and ask for the planters to be removed from the path for these reasons.”
The Highways Act 1980 prohibits wilful obstruction of a footpath or pavement, including building materials, overhanging trees, plants and even parked vehicles. Those breaking the rule can receive fines of up to £1,000 and an additional cost of removal.
