Clampdown on roadside and motorway advertisements

Date published: 07/12/2006

Roadside advertisements are disappearing from motorways and main roads thanks to a clampdown by local councils, claims the Rochdale Euro-MP who campaigned against the blight.

Almost three years ago Rochdale MEP Chris Davies wrote to the government raising the problem of hundreds of old lorry trailers being used as mobile billboards in fields across the North West.

Planning guidelines insist that advertising is out of place in open countryside, and road safety campaigners are concerned that the hoardings may provide a dangerous distraction to drivers.  But local authorities had been reluctant to take enforcement action as they feared landowners may be  able to sidestep the proceedings by moving offending trailers.

A subsequent pledge from then Planning Minister Yvette Cooper made it clear that the government was committed to tackling the problem and new guidance for local authorities on the control of outdoor advertisements provided greater clarity and advice.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) claims that overall the picture appears to be improving and this has been backed up by the publication of a survey of North West councils carried out by Chris Davies.

The Liberal Democrat MEP has now published a report on local authorities across the region which confirms that they are taking the issue seriously and removing advertisements from fields.

Lynne Sephton, Senior Planner, replied on behalf of Rochdale Council, she said: "Rochdale have a strict approach to illegal advertisements and we have not had any such instances of motorway advertisements for over twelve months.  Should any such advertisements be displayed, the local planning authority will not hesitate in taking the necessary action to ensure their removal."

Chris Davies has welcomed the announcement as a step towards removing the blight of trailer advertising across the region. He commented:  "I am glad the problem is being addressed before Britain risks following the USA in allowing advertising hoardings to blight roads throughout the countryside."