main content Street furniture causes obstruction

The owner of a second hand furniture shop in Penge, has been prosecuted for ‘wilful obstruction of the highway’. James Brackenbury pleaded guilty to placing various items of furniture on the edge of the pavement near his premises in Maple Road. Following the hearing at Bromley Magistrates Court, he was ordered to pay a fine of £250 with £150 costs.

“Prosecutions are always a last resort, but we have a responsibility for making sure our pavements and roads are safe for people to use. Whether it’s a shop advertising board or old furniture for sale, anything left on the pavement - especially if it’s near the side of the road - can be potentially hazardous for pedestrians and drivers. Traders must put safety first and think about the consequence of their actions“ said Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager.

During the hearing, the Court learned that a Street Services Enforcement Officer had first seen the furniture obstructing the pavement in April. Mr Brackenbury was sent a letter warning that placing goods on the pavement is an offence and prosecution was likely if it continued.

On a follow up inspection, an empty white transit van was seen parked outside the shop with furniture on the edge of the pavement next to it. A forty-five minute observation was carried out - to ensure that the furniture was not simply in the process of being unloaded from the van. Although Mr Brackenbury was seen outside his shop during this time, no attempt was made to move the items from the pavement.

To report an obstruction on the pavement or road, contact the Street Services Help Desk on 020 8313 4621.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor on 020 8461 7670 e-mail andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk or Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager on 020 8313 4901.