The council have stopped pavement poet Daniel Rowland from chalking his poetry onto the streets of Swindon – even though 68% of residents voted to keep him.
In a bid to rid the town of Daniel’s poetic artwork, a clause was added to a recent Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which stops the marking of surfaces with chalk.
757 people voted on whether or not chalking/marking the pavements should be included in the PSPO. Official figures released by Swindon Borough Council reveal that 67.89% of you voted no to including it in the order – yet it’s still been included.
The PSPO came into effect in the last few days, which also includes legislation that will fine beggars £100 on the spot if they are caught asking for money.
Today, 15 December, saw Daniel Rowland take to Swindon town centre in a bid to bring up failings by Swindon Borough Council which he feels makes the PSPO void.
A family let their two-year-old toddler join in the chalking, outside The Brunel Shopping Centre earlier, knowing full well that it was now against the law.
More on the Public Spaces Protection Order can be found at www.swindon-csp.org.uk.
