Fined £100 for fly-posting
A man has been fined £100 and ordered to pay £227.58 court costs for an offence of fly-posting.
Anthony Stanley Matthews pleaded guilty by post to an offence contrary to Section 224 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The court heard that on Saturday, September 10, 2011 the council’s environmental enforcement officers were on duty in Ffairfach, near Llandeilo, were they saw a number of posters attached to road signs advertising a rug and garden furniture sale in Llandovery.
As the officers continued along the A483 towards Llandeilo they saw more of the posters, with an increasing number along Rhosmaen Street, and some of which were now littering the pavements.
As they travelled along the A40 from Llandeilo to Llangadog and into Llandovery they saw more than 100 posters affixed to various structures along the highway. Using their powers under Section 132 of the Highways Act the officers removed a total of 43 posters.
They attended the sale and spoke to the organiser who became extremely hostile and refused to give any of his personal details until the police attended. The officers returned with a police officer explaining that fly-posting was a criminal offence.
Matthews, aged 56, of White Oak Cottage, Eardisley, Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire, told the officers a couple of lads had put up the posters but that it was his company and he took responsibility for it. He was prosecuted through the court as a result. It is now hoped this case will help to educate people that fly-posting is a criminal offence.
The council has a fly-posting policy in place to help keep the county clean and to stop unfair advertising. Fly-posting also has the potential to distract motorists and cause accidents.
Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said:
“Fly-posting is displaying adverts and other promotional materials without permission, for example, on buildings, lampposts, railings, litter bins and elsewhere in public, mainly by businesses that want free advertising. They make an area look untidy and if not removed the posters slowly rot, becoming even more unsightly and causing litter. They also have the potential to distract motorists causing road traffic collisions; not to mention the additional burden on the council budget.”
“For these reasons, we are taking a firm stand against fly-posting and will remove any signs put up against the council’s policy as well as fine those responsible.”
The council will make an exception for some not-for-profit organisations, community groups and registered charities subject to certain terms and conditions.
Council officers have the power to remove any unauthorised signs and anyone caught could get an on-the-spot fine of £75 or a fine of up to £2,500 if prosecuted in court.
For further information on the policy visitwww.carmarthenshire.gov.uk or contact Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.
Anthony Stanley Matthews pleaded guilty by post to an offence contrary to Section 224 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The court heard that on Saturday, September 10, 2011 the council’s environmental enforcement officers were on duty in Ffairfach, near Llandeilo, were they saw a number of posters attached to road signs advertising a rug and garden furniture sale in Llandovery.
As the officers continued along the A483 towards Llandeilo they saw more of the posters, with an increasing number along Rhosmaen Street, and some of which were now littering the pavements.
As they travelled along the A40 from Llandeilo to Llangadog and into Llandovery they saw more than 100 posters affixed to various structures along the highway. Using their powers under Section 132 of the Highways Act the officers removed a total of 43 posters.
They attended the sale and spoke to the organiser who became extremely hostile and refused to give any of his personal details until the police attended. The officers returned with a police officer explaining that fly-posting was a criminal offence.
Matthews, aged 56, of White Oak Cottage, Eardisley, Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire, told the officers a couple of lads had put up the posters but that it was his company and he took responsibility for it. He was prosecuted through the court as a result. It is now hoped this case will help to educate people that fly-posting is a criminal offence.
The council has a fly-posting policy in place to help keep the county clean and to stop unfair advertising. Fly-posting also has the potential to distract motorists and cause accidents.
Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said:
“Fly-posting is displaying adverts and other promotional materials without permission, for example, on buildings, lampposts, railings, litter bins and elsewhere in public, mainly by businesses that want free advertising. They make an area look untidy and if not removed the posters slowly rot, becoming even more unsightly and causing litter. They also have the potential to distract motorists causing road traffic collisions; not to mention the additional burden on the council budget.”
“For these reasons, we are taking a firm stand against fly-posting and will remove any signs put up against the council’s policy as well as fine those responsible.”
The council will make an exception for some not-for-profit organisations, community groups and registered charities subject to certain terms and conditions.
Council officers have the power to remove any unauthorised signs and anyone caught could get an on-the-spot fine of £75 or a fine of up to £2,500 if prosecuted in court.
For further information on the policy visitwww.carmarthenshire.gov.uk or contact Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.
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