‘Eyesore’ ad hoarding is a ‘blot’ on landscape
Network Rail given orders
Network Rail has been issued with a council order to attend to an “eyesore” Perth city advertising hoarding.
The former hoarding on the St Leonards railway bridge has been in an unsightly condition for years with peeling paper and vegetation growing over it.
Two Perth councillors are now calling for Network Rail to tackle the issue.
And an Amenity Notice dated February 16, effective from March 25 unless appealed, has been issued by Perth and Kinross Council.
From February 16 Network Rail has 28 days to remove the vegetation, 40 days to strip peeling paper and 50 days to paint the former hoarding.
Perth city centre councillor Peter Barrett said: “The advertising hoarding on St Leonard’s Bank railway bridge is in a disgraceful condition.
“It’s a complete mess with shredded posters hanging off the main structure and ivy and other vegetation growing over it.
“Network Rail can appeal against the notice to the Scottish Government, but I hope they don’t drag their heels on this any longer and comply with the notice well before the deadlines.”
Lib Dem colleague and Perth city south councillor Liz Barrett, who previously made calls for the hoarding to be removed alongside now retired Councillor Willie Wilson, added: “The hoarding has been an eyesore and a blot on the Craigie Cross landscape for far too long.
“It hasn’t been used for advertising posters for years, and we’ve been chasing Network Rail, but they’ve done nothing.
“If Network Rail don’t comply with the Notice then the council can take remedial action. We hope it doesn’t come to that and Network Rail belatedly live up to their corporate social responsibilities to the public and the local community.”
The Perth and Kinross Council Amenity Notice states: “The council consider it is expedient to issue this notice having regard to the provision of the Development Plan and to other material planning considerations.”