News
Action to axe distracting roadside adverts
24th July 2006
Illegal advertisements beside motorways and major roads face a clampdown as they could be putting drivers in danger, the Government said today. New guidance to councils is part of revised advertising regulations, which will also make it easier to fly national flags.
Announcing the start of a consultation on revised regulations on outdoor adverts, Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper urged councils to take a tough stance against those who try to get around planning rules by putting unauthorised adverts in fields. She also called on councils to work closely with the Highways Agency to ensure that roadside advertising is appropriate to the landscape and does not pose a hazard to those using the roads.
A draft Circular being issued today includes advice to local planning authorities on how to deal with unlawful adverts as well as providing guidance to councils across England to help ensure that the planning system works effectively.
In addition, the Government is writing to councils asking them to improve enforcement and for information to help build up a database of persistent offenders for displaying illegal adverts and fly posting. This database will act as a resource for authorities when building prosecution cases.
Yvette Cooper said: "Too many of our motorways are now strewn with illegal trailer adverts, which cause hazards for drivers and are unsightly too. Just because the ads are parked on trailers doesn't mean they should be able to dodge proper planning and safety rules. 23 per cent of drivers say they have been so distracted by roadside distractions, such as ads, that they have swerved out of lane. That's why applications need to go through the proper planning system so they can be appropriately assessed."
The new Regulations will also update and improve existing legislation including that which covers flags. Currently it is unlawful to fly a national flag without consent from the council unless it is flown from a vertical flagpole. The rule changes will allow national flags to be flown without permission however they are displayed. The same policy will also apply to commonly used international flags: the European Union, the Commonwealth and United Nation flags.
Yvette Cooper continued: "The regulations on flags are currently woefully out-of-date and far too bureaucratic. It is ridiculous that someone could be prosecuted for displaying their national flag. As the World Cup demonstrated, many people want to show their support for their national team and they should be able to do so without fear of prosecution."
The consultation period will last for eight weeks. The regulations are expected to come into force in April 2007. The database of illegal advertising offenders will launch later in the year.
Source: Department for Communities and Local Government
