A SOUTHAMPTON resident has blasted a decision to ban doormats from the city council-owned block she lives in – and they could charge her £25 if she doesn’t comply.

Vicky-Lee Egerton, of Leaside Way, has branded the move as “ridiculous”, after Southampton council officers considered the ‘welcome rugs’ may get in the way of the emergency services – especially firefighters – and could cause injury to both them and evacuating locals if tripped over.

The authority was also concerned that they could be a fire hazard, depending on the material they are made from.

It comes after Ms Egerton was left a note by the council, stating that if she did not get rid of the mat from the outside walkway, it would be removed and – if subsequently uncollected – destroyed.

She could also be charged £25 for this process.

But the council says the new laws have come as part of an overhaul of fire safety regulation across the country, following the Grenfell Tower tragedy of June 2017.

This has lead to an updated city-wide fire safety policy for items placed in housing block “communal areas”, and has been backed by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Yet, Vicky-Lee believes the authority has gone “a little too far”, mainly as the cited ‘communal area’ is an outside walkway.

“If we don’t complain they [the council] will take our doormats and this could spark other changes,” she added.

“It seem to me that they have taken this decision just a little too far. It’s a bit ridiculous.

“I’m not ready to comply without a bit of a fight!”

As a result, Vicky, along with neighbouring residents, are set to launch a petition to ask the authority to rethink its decision.

She added: “If we go along the lines that the council is correct then why is it not a hazard outside a private property as well?

“Why is it just us that’re being targeted?”

In response, Councillor Satvir Kaur, homes chief at the council, said: “Safety against fire is one of our main priorities as a council, especially after the tragic incident in Shirley Towers in Southampton and more recently Grenfell.

“Ordinary everyday items such as doormats or plant pots outside can make it difficult for people to evacuate in the event of a fire. We have to think about the impact of these items in the event of a fire and it is in that context that the decision has been taken.”

She added: “Many local residents have told me they welcome the decision to make our blocks safer and I do sympathise with those with those who choose to personalise the outside of their home. However, I have to put the safety of our residents above all else.”

A city council spokesperson added: “As a council, we feel it’s critical we have measures that are consistent, simple to adopt, and remove any ambiguity regarding what is allowed so that residents know exactly where they stand.

“Our policy reflects guidelines set out by the Local Government Association and other local authorities currently adopt the same approach.”