Bedfordview billboard woes continue
In December 2015, an illegal 20 metre-wide billboard along Van Buuren Road was taken down after EMM sought a court order to have it removed.
Bedfordview residents have called on the powers that be to put a stop to the construction of a 90-metre illuminated super billboard at Gillooly’s Farm (ALSO READÂ Super billboard an eyesore for residents).
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) has come under fire for approving the construction of the mega structure without public participation.
“Gillooly’s Farm is our heritage and pride. I don’t understand why EMM gave approval for such a big structure to pollute the area. This thing will also be a huge distraction to motorists driving on the highway,” said one resident.
The billboard, which will be illuminated on both sides, is being constructed in close proximity to the Gillooly’s Interchange and faces the N3 flyover bridge.
Residents and motorists said they are worried that the billboard will distract motorists travelling on the highway.
“At this crucial and dangerous stretch of the highway we cannot afford to have motorists distracted as this will cause serious accidents,” said an Essexwold resident.
The billboard has not only been the talk of the town, but it has, over the last two months, become the subject of a legal spat between local councillors and the company responsible for the construction.
Through its attorneys, the company accused ward 20 councillor, Clr Jill Humphreys and her ward 18 counterpart, Clr Heather Hart of defamation.
“My client instructed me to demand, as I hereby do, that you refrain from interfering with it’s business activities and stop defaming it, in particular stop stating that it is conducting illegal activities,” reads a letter addressed to Clr Hart.
Both councillors said the structure is in contravention of EMM’s bylaws.
“The outdoor advertising and wayleave departments provided permission. However, because it is on municipal-owned land, the company has to enter into a lease with EMM to rent the land upon which it is constructed, which they did not do,” said Clr Hart.
She said she believes the real estate department will deal with the matter and take the relevant action.
Clr Humphreys said according to the by-laws, the maximum size for an advertising sign in EMM is 81 square metres.
She said the approval is in contravention of by-laws.
In December 2015, an illegal 20-metre-wide billboard along Van Buuren Road was taken down after EMM sought a court order to have it removed.
The structure had been standing for five years.
The High Court gave a 30-day order in September for the company to remove the structure to which it did not comply.
The company was liable to pay the costs for the removal, the sheriff’s costs as well as legal costs, which all amounted to approximately R500 000.
Mr Themba Gadebe, EMM spokesperson, said billboard was approved in June 2015 by the City of Ekurhuleni’s City Planning Department guided by the terms of the provisions of the Ekurhuleni Police Services Bylaw (2003) Chapter IV. “Therefore the correct processes were followed upon approving the structure at Gillooly’s,” said Mr Gadebe.
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