HIGHWAYS chiefs were right to throw the rule book at a city businessman over where he displayed his street sign, say readers.

An irate Jason Knight contacted your Worcester News after a county council road team took away the street sign advertising his hairstyling business in St John’s, Worcester, at the end of September.

Worcestershire County Council said the 2ft tall sign was blocking the footpath and had previously warned Mr Knight to move it or lose it. He replaced his old A-board sign with the smaller model, but otherwise ignored the warnings. Shops are allowed to display a small street sign but only directly next to their stores.

Mr Knight, who runs JK3 Style in Pearmain Walk, claimed that in the current economic climate the council’s actions were poor reward for a small business paying £7,500 business rates a year.

Meanwhile several Worcester News readers logged on to worcesternews.co.uk saying the 31-year-old should have heeded the council’s warnings. Rgdudley, of Worcester, made the point: “He only has himself to blame.

“If the council allowed everyone to put up whatever sign they wanted we’d never be able to walk along a pavement for tripping over this board or that.”

Hymie, of Fernhill Heath, near Worcester, agreed writing: “The council has a legal duty to remove boards so the footways are kept open.”

Binroundabit, of Worcester, said: “The highways people seem to have bent over backwards to persuade this business owner to comply with their reasonable requests but to no avail. Rules are rules.”

Piccolo, of Worcester, said: “What’s happened might well sound harsh but the council was absolutely right.”

There was some sympathy for Mr Knight. JB, of Worcester, said: “Instead of just quoting the regulations to the business owner coudn’t officials work out a compromise to suit everyone?

“Rules are rules and yes they should be obeyed but in the spirit of co-operation couldn’t they just talk it over?”