CRAVEN District Council has joined forces with North Yorkshire County Council to send out an urgent plea to stop illegal advertising on roundabouts.

A number of roundabouts in Craven have developed into advertising ’hotspots’ which are causing grave concern to the District Council and the County Council’s Highways department because of the potential for serious accidents caused by distracted drivers.

Illegal advertising on busy roundabouts is hazardous. The signs are designed to attract drivers’ attention, but they also distract them from their driving with potentially serious consequences.

Paul Whitaker - Protecting and Enhancing the Environment at Craven District Council

Councillor Paul Whitaker, Leader Member for Protecting and Enhancing the Environment at Craven District Council, said: “Illegal advertising on busy roundabouts is hazardous. The signs are designed to attract drivers’ attention, but they also distract them from their driving with potentially serious consequences. We aren’t anti-advertising and want to encourage Craven businesses to promote themselves legitimately – but stress that busy roundabouts are definitely the wrong medium to use.”

County Councillor John Fort, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for highways, said: “Signs are often placed to advertise local events run by charities as well as to advertise businesses. The desire to do this is understandable, but since roadside advertising is intended to attract drivers' attention it can only increase the risk of crashes.”

The Council is legally entitled to serve fixed penalty notices of up to £75 on any business, charity or individual which advertises without consent on its land. However legitimate advertising sites are available on Council property subject to the necessary planning approvals. Potential advertisers are reminded that planning consent is needed for advertising boards over a particular size 0.6m² and, on land not owned by the council, the land owners consent is also required.