Fly-posting warning

RESIDENTS and businesses in Carmarthenshire are being warned that fly-posting is a criminal offence.

It comes after a fixed penalty notice for £75 was issued to a local company that had fly-posted on a road sign on Cross Hands roundabout.

A number of signs have also been removed for road safety reasons from locations across the county including Dafen Business Park, Parc Trostre roundabout, Llangennech and Hendy.

Council environmental enforcement and planning enforcement officers are carrying out patrols across Carmarthenshire.

Any unauthorised signs or posters risk being removed and anyone caught putting them up could be issued with a fixed penalty notice or, for more serious offences, get prosecuted in court where the maximum fine is £2,500.

The council has a fly-posting policy in place to help keep the county tidy, to stop unfair advertising and to try and prevent potential road accidents.

Exceptions will be made for some not-for-profit organisations, community groups and registered charities subject to certain terms and conditions.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Fly-posting is displaying adverts and other promotional materials without permission, for example, on buildings, lampposts, railings and litter bins, mainly by business that want free advertising.

“Not only do they make an area look untidy but 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.

“We recognise the need for certain temporary signs, for example, for agricultural shows or village fetes. Hopefully this fine will help to raise awareness of this issue and help reduce fly-posting in the future.”

For further information on the policy visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk or contact Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567. Leaflets are also available in the council’s customer service centres.