Posted missing – posters to vanish in clean-up
THEY can provide vital help in the search for a missing pet, or go a long way in publicising a charity bake sale.
But council bosses have warned that community advertising signs will be torn from lampposts as part of a clampdown on flyposting.
Dundee City Council is sending workers onto the streets to rip the posters down, following what it describes as an ‘absolute glut’ of illegal hoardings.
It says they put pedestrians at risk and distract motorists.
But the decision has been criticised by animal charity staff who describe it as a ‘hindrance’ to its work.
Angie Smith, who runs the Missing Pets Dundee and Angus social media websites and Angus Cat Rescue centre, said: ‘It would be a shame if people were not able to put up flyers in their local areas if they are searching for a missing and cherished pet. It would certainly hinder the searching process.
‘I would advise people, if they place posters on lampposts and similar things, to take them down after a short period and perhaps stick them on noticeboards in shops and local businesses.’
Flyposting is illegal in Scotland, but the council has not revealed whether it intends to prosecute anyone who defies the ban.
The maximum fine for putting up posters not by a roadside is £200, while placing them on a road sign can attract a fine of up to £1,000.
Mark Flynn depute convener of the council’s city development committee said: ‘Teams will be on the streets in the next few days taking down these unsightly and dangerous items.’
The authority is also teaming up with the roads maintenance company BEAR Scotland to tackle roadside signs.
Mr Flynn said posters would be
‘A hazard to road users’
allowed in certain areas, provided permission was sought first.
He added: ‘If there is one thing about the roads network in the city that gets raised with almost every councillor, it is the proliferation of unauthorised advertising that has been popping up.
‘While there always seems to be a low level of this kind of activity, recently we have seen an absolute glut and enough is enough.
‘I know of one person who has taken it on himself to remove these and has collected more than 100 from various locations in just a few days.
‘They are a hazard and danger to all road users and there are very good reasons why anyone who wants to put up such banners needs to go through the proper channels.
‘So the message to any business or individual who is considering putting up an advertising banner like this is simple – if you haven’t asked us, don’t do it.’
It is not the first time a Scots council has introduced a clampdown on flyposting.
In March, North Ayrshire Council announced that flyposting, alongside dog fouling, had resulted in 520 fixed penalties being issued in the previous 12 months, generating £41,600 from the £80 fines.
Keep Scotland Beautiful warns on its website: ‘Graffiti and flyposting are both illegal activities. Offenders can be prosecuted either by the local council or by the police, and the court decides on what their penalty will be.’