Residents and motorists have welcome the removal of the illegally erected billboard on Van Buuren Road.
The 20 metre-wide billboard was put up in 2009 without permission from the municipality.
In September, the South Gauteng High Court issued a 30-day court order to Design Initiative, the company responsible for the structure, to have it removed.
Last Wednesday, the Sheriff of the High Court with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), took down the gantry.
The stretch of road between Kloof and Nicol roads was closed to traffic.
The ward 20 councillor, Clr Jill Humphreys, said she was excited to see the gantry being taken down.
“Several strides have been made with all relevant stakeholders for the past five years to have the structure removed, but without success. This will be a great relief to Bedfordview residents and motorists who frequently use Van Buuren Road,” she said.
Motorists previously complained that the billboard was close to the traffic lights and therefore obstructed their vision. The structure was also too big for an average road like Van Buuren Road.
According to the High Court interdict, Design Initiative was given one month to remove the billboard. It has since failed to adhere to the court order and will be liable to pay the costs for the removal, the sheriff’s costs as well as legal costs, which all amount to approximately R500 000.
The dismantled billboard gantry material will be stored at the EMPD’s storage facility.
