FLOWERS left by grieving relatives at the scene of road accidents could be removed if they are left there for more than a month.

Council bosses say floral tributes are a ‘distraction’ for other drivers and that mourners should take responsibility for removing them.

The new restrictions are being recommended in a bid to keep the streets clean and safe.

Councillor Peter Robinson, a former funeral director and chairman of the scrutiny panel which put forward the recommendation, said the council was trying to strike a balance between the needs of grieving families and road safety.

He said some tributes left on railings — specially designed so people can see through them — could obscure a driver’s view of the road.

"People have to grieve and it’s important that we let people grieve, but there has got to be some social responsibility on their part as well" he said.

"You get some tributes and when the flowers die it becomes an eyesore. Families don’t want to clear it up so they leave it for the council.  They are a distraction, they do distract drivers’ attention and it only takes a split second for another accident to happen.

"We thought a month was long enough for people to have a tribute at the side of the road and at the end of the day we do have cemeteries where people can go at any time to put a floral tribute for their loved ones. That’s what they are there for."

The recommendation will now be considered by council chiefs, but has met with some anger.

Roseanne Kay, whose teenage son Callum was killed in a motorbike accident in 2003, said: "I think it’s absolutely disgusting. Every week I go and I put flowers down there, it’s very important.  I understand what they are saying about road safety, but if it doesn’t pose a danger then why take it away?  It’s like putting a time limit on how long you should be grieving for."