Illegal signage raises more concerns
"The signs are a distraction to motorists and have a negative impact on the environment as a whole."
A local resident has taken a stance against illegal signage in Edenvale.
Ms Sharon Lendrum-Frittelli, a resident in Edenvale, has taken the initiative of removing illegal signage found on street poles, fences and dustbins.
She said the signs are seen as litter and pollution.
Ms Lendrum-Frittelli’s concerns are that people think the posting of the signs is acceptable.
“The signs are a distraction to motorists and have a negative impact on the environment as a whole. I believe the only way we can control this scourge is to remove the signage timeously and regularly. By allowing the ongoing placing of illegal signage to continue unchallenged, will merely escalate the ever increasing urban decay and the metro owes it to its citizens to provide an attractive and safe environment,” said Ms Lendrum-Frittelli.
Ms Lendrum-Fritelli said that there are however, signs that are legal.
Posters are allowed on streetlight poles for advertising an event or special price of goods for a period of time, but the time period must be specified on the poster.
She said that a maximum of 10 banners per street front is allowed. The posters may not be placed more than two weeks prior to the date of the function and must be removed three days after the event concludes.
“These posters must be registered and approved by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) office in Kempton Park and a green sticker of approval must be visible on the face of the advert. All other adverts like abortions, lost lovers or services available are illegal. No signage is allowed on any traffic signs or poles,” she said.
Furthermore, she said that when Edenvale was managed as a small municipality, the removal of signage was controlled but under the current management of the large metro, there is only a handful of people employed for the entire Ekurhuleni area, which is inadequate.
She expressed that more people should get involved in the Poster Busters movement.
It entails coming together every third Saturday of the month. The group goes around and tries to remove as many illegal posters as possible.
“The community should get involved with assisting in ridding these signs permanently,” she said.
“I feel extremely thankful to all of the volunteers who take the time and effort every month to remove the signage. At times it feels like a thankless job, but the fruits of their efforts are clearly evident. We would like to get business owners to consider joining the Poster Busters one Saturday. We could do a blitz in Sebenza and rid the area of the signage. It would be a big project but worth it in the end,” she said.
