News Illegal poster purge
East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) has launched a vigorous campaign to crack down on flyposting and illegal signs that are creating an eyesore in the Goole and Howden area.
The new campaign was launched after a large number of flyposters and illegal signs were found in the Goole and Howden areas, and will see ERYC streetscene and planning enforcement officers giving advice to business owners, as well as imposing fixed penalty notices and bringing prosecutions where appropriate.
Under the Highways Act 1980 it is an offence to put up any signs or notices on any structure, tree or street furniture on highways land, which includes roads, footpaths, verges and roundabouts. The unauthorised display of advertisements is also an offence under town and country planning legislation, which extends to private land as well as highways.
"The council takes very serious all incidents of illegal advertisements on highways land, structures or in the street," said Richard Stork, ERYC streetscene enforcement officer.
"They can present a hazard to pedestrians, distract motorists and be a contributing factor to road accidents. They also have a detrimental effect on the quality of the environment by creating an eyesore, often being left in place long after an event has taken place.
"We will be reminding businesses of the law relating to highways and asking them to remove any illegal posters, placards or signs. We are also happy to offer advice to anyone who is unsure if they are acting within the law."
ERYC will make full use of enhanced powers laid out in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 to remove illegal signs and posters on highways land, and this could include issuing £75 fixed penalty notices for each illegal poster or placard, and the power to prosecute the beneficiaries of illegal advertising campaigns. Sites will also be monitored for future offences.
To report illegal flyposting or signs, or for advice, call ERYC's highways department on 01482 395739.
Published on 2nd August 2007 in News.
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