The Bedfordview community has expressed its concerns regarding the installation of another billboard near Gillooly’s Farm.
Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys said the new billboard has added fuel to the fire as she has been receiving regular comments, complaints and questions about the other billboard that was installed a few months ago, not far from the new one.
“Daily it remains a blot on our park and our metro. Regularly, I receive comments, complaints and questions about its continued existence. I have asked our officials for answers but have not received any response from anyone,” she said.
The newly installed billboard on Boeing Road West is in front of the park.
“The billboard also faces one of the most dangerous and busiest sections of highway in the country. The danger of motorists being distracted is obvious and, worst of all, deliberate.
“Demanding attention from motorists is the essence of the billboard’s existence and the metro supports this. I will blame this department for accidents at this spectacularly treacherous intersection. The billboard is on a split and a curve on an elevated bridge – it is shameful that the metro allows a billboard at such a location,” said Humphreys.
She said the metro should remove these billboards and stop approving them in future.
Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe confirmed to the NEWS that the newly installed billboard near Gillooly’s Farm was indeed approved by the metro.
“The billboard was approved on August 7 this year subject to the applicant entering into a lease with the City of Ekurhuleni,” said Gadebe.
He said the billboard does not conform to Chapter IV of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Police Services by-laws, 2003 which were applicable at the time of application.
“Before applications for billboards are approved or declined, a pre-submission evaluation is conducted to ensure that the proposed application is complete and is in line with the applicable by-laws,” he said.
Gadebe said the application is then evaluated and a report is presented to the Outdoor Advertising Committee, which makes a recommendation for approval or disapproval to the Head of Department (HOD) City Planning.
HOD City Planning then approves or declines the application.
“Division Head: Building Control and Outdoor Advertising, will inform the applicant in writing of the outcome of the application in question,” said Gadebe.
