'I would rather go to jail than remove plant pots outside my home'

A pensioner locked in a bizarre battle with his local council over a set of plant pots outside his home, has dug his heels in warning them he would rather go to jail than back down.

Graham Bedward put up three of the pots on the pavement just outside his home in a bid to try and stop cars parking on the curb, blocking people from walking by. Although the trio of pots may seem perfectly innocent, the 69-year-old grandad's move has led the council to launch a full-scale crackdown on the tiny Lancashire village of Helmshore.

Chiefs from the council didn’t view the pots in the same way as Graham, instead insisting that the plants themselves were “obstructions” and ordered the pensioner to remove them, or face legal action. But Graham wasn’t ready to back downat the first hurdle. He added: “It does not make any sense. Why would you spend so many resources asking for the plant pots to be removed?

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"It is ridiculous. Consider the money and effort spent on this pathetic situation. I would rather go to jail than remove the plant pots."

Graham first put the pots up on Alden Road after drivers began blocking access to his garden, and after being forced on the road while walking his grandkids, decided enough was enough, but soon, later in July, the council caught on and began sending letters his way.

The pensioner has previously asked Lancashire County Council to install double yellow lines to stop the dodgy parking, but he was quickly sent packing.

After the letters started flooding through his door, he contacted the council, local councillors, the police, the highways department and his local MP to get involved to try and resolve the issue, but was sent rejection after rejection.

Graham said: "I put up a sign asking people to park considerately. I asked to meet with Lancashire County Council. I asked for the police to get involved. Then somebody must have complained, and the council has come to take photos of the plant pots.

"I contacted my local MP in April asking to address issues on Alden Road. I had a reply on April 10 with an attachment from LCC highways, stating nothing can or will be done about it.”

Lancashire’s highways continued to send letters arguing the plants were disrupting the pavement, and after letters threatening legal action, the council gave him an official deadline by which he would need to remove the pots by or face a hefty bill for the council's removal costs.

In the most recent letter, the couple were told by the council's legal team: "I am instructed by the Head of Service for Highways that you are in control of three planters on the highway known as Alden Road, Haslingden. Consequently, I enclose a notice under section 143 of the Highways Act 1980 requiring you to remove the obstruction within a month of the date of the notice.”

But despite the threat of a fine, Graham is determined to hold strong. Graham added: "It is the principle. It is not just ridiculous, it is off the wall.

"All I want to know is how much they have spent on this. Somebody has complained, so they have come along and taken the photograph. So there is a visit and then a letter. Then more letters."

In response to the incident, Peter Bell, highway regulation manager at Lancashire County Council, said: "We appreciate residents taking pride in their streets. While roadside pottery may brighten the pavement, they are not a substitute for traffic regulation.

"The council is aware of a resident placing planters on the public highway in an effort to deter parking outside their home. While we understand the frustrations, members of the public have every right to park legally on the road, and obstructing the highway is not permitted.

"The resident has been advised to remove the items, and the matter is being pursued through appropriate channels. Requests for double yellow lines are considered carefully and must meet strict criteria. This location has been reviewed and does not meet those criteria."