Are you following outdoor advertising bylaws?
WILGEHEUWEL – Over one hundred illegal forms of advertising were removed from Wilgeheuwel's streets.
Metro police enforced the City’s outdoor advertising bylaws by removing illegal posters, signage and banners on the main roads through Wilgeheuwel.
The streets that were hit included Hendrik Potgieter Road, Nic Diedericks Road, Paul Kruger Road and Christiaan de Wet Road. In total, 85 posters, three signage boards and 15 banners were removed on 25 January. According to ward councillor Leah Knott, operations will continue in the week following 25 January.
“Illegal outdoor advertising is a huge problem in the city. It not only makes residential areas unsightly but also has bad psychological effects on people being bombarded by advertising,” said Knott.
“It also steals revenue from the City; they are being placed in unauthorised places that obstruct motorists, pedestrians and facilitate criminal activity. Trailers are a major issue as they obstruct roadways and can blow over at any time, endangering lives. Some are viewed as extremely offensive by residents.”
Offenders normally remove the tow bars or wheels of the advertising trailer so it is difficult for Metro police to remove them. A specialised team is then needed to remove the trailer, which results in further costs to the City. If approved, trailers should be at least 100m from any roadway.
“No signage can be placed on council property without City approval. Estate agency boards are another problem as they flood residential areas indefinitely. This also makes an area appear undesirable as it appears as if residents are mass exiting the suburb. No estate agent can place ‘On Show’ signs [except on] Sundays during specified times and ‘For Sale/Sold’ signs must be placed directly outside the property in question,” Knott added.
“A recent trend by developers is to place large signs on poles along roadsides. This is not lawful. Bylaws allow for the erection of signage directly on the development property in question, subject to certain specifications,” Knott continued.
The bylaws are available on the City’s website under Outdoor Advertising.
