Roadside banners ‘are a distraction’ (From Swindon Advertiser)

Roadside banners ‘are a distraction’

11:50am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News

Roadside banners ‘are a distraction’

BLUNSDON Parish Council is objecting to a retrospective planning application for three advertising banners erected on lampposts, claiming they distract drivers along a busy road.

Swindon Council’s highways department has applied to its planning department for advertising consent to continue to have the banners in Cricklade Road, towards junction one of Thamesdown Drive.

The banners, measuring two metres high by 0.8 metres wide, are located on lampposts 2.4 metres above ground level. The application as originally submitted was for four banners but one location in close proximity to a bus stop was omitted due to safety concerns.

The council is proposing to allow local industry and employers to advertise their operations and businesses on the signs as well as the advertising of events happening around Swindon.

The parish council’s concerns over highways safety are due to be discussed when the proposal is considered by Swindon Council’s planning committee today. The planning department has recommended the application for approval, concluding: “The three banners now proposed are not considered to give rise to highway safety concerns. These banners are proposed to be 2.4 metres above ground level and fixed to the lampposts in such a way that it will not be able to rotate or vibrate in windy or inclement conditions.

“It should be noted that if any highway concerns subsequently arise from any of the banners, then irrespective of any planning consent for their display, highway legislation gives overriding powers to the local highway authority to remove or require the removal of any such distractions.”