VERTICAL banners advertising events in Tavistock town centre have been given a definite thumbs down, councillors heard last week. The town council has for some time wanted to use lamp posts in the square for the banners, which could replace the horizontal banner often strung between historic Court Gate and the town hall on blue rope ? a sight labelled ?tatty? in the past by members. West Devon Borough Council?s planning department has in the past rejected the idea, claiming the vertical banners would not be in keeping with the town centre?s conservation area. But now, following consultation and site meetings with county council officers, it appears the banners cannot be used. Town clerk Roger Howard told last week?s meeting of the town?s finance committee that the light columns around Bedford Square, which are owned by the county council, are not of a standard design and less strong than normal. ?They are of mild steel construction and therefore unable to support the additional loading that could be imposed by banners of the type proposed,? said Col Howard. ?Any additional loading to these columns could also mean they become structurally unsound, and that is a risk they cannot take,? he said.
