Forum Topic

Posters on Trees

Does anyone know if there is a Law to prevent you placing Posters on Say Trees or Lamppost's to advertise a Local Event say a Community Centre Fair, Church fair or School Fair.Any Advice would be great Thanks

Simon Anderson ● 6462d14 Comments

Non-Highway related signs may be placed on the highway under licence by the local authority but these require the consent of the Highway Authority.  The Highway Authority or its Agent have the common law right and powers under Section 132 of the Highways Act 1980 to remove any unauthorised signs from the public highway if they are considered to be a potential hazard to highway users, a hazardous distraction or are obstructing the highway or visibility.  The Highway Authority has powers under the Highways Act 1980 to prosecute offenders.I hope this is clear.JL

Jim Linwood ● 6460d

How can a Council department 'authorise' someone to break a law? That's like the Police 'authorising' you to give someone a slap!

Vanessa Smith ● 6460d

Section 132 applies to *unauthorised* signs. If Simon gets permission from the Street Care Unit there should be no problem.JL

Jim Linwood ● 6460d

This is illegal under Section 132 of The Highways Act 1980.

Vanessa Smith ● 6460d

thanks MattIve sent Streetcare a email at the Council so not going to do anything till they reply to say if its ok or notBut Thanks Again Matt

Simon Anderson ● 6460d

I can't speak for Simon's ward cllrs but in Brentford I think we would take a view based on the nature of the event and the amount of posters etc that had been put up. Clearly a school fete is fine, so posters of some kind on nearby posta etc may be acceptable. One thing - if you do go ahead, take them down as soon as the event is over.BestMatt

Matt Harmer ● 6461d

thanks jim

Simon Anderson ● 6462d

I will Do Kevin Thanks

Simon Anderson ● 6462d

The relevant Council Department is the Community Environment Team (Street Management & Public Protection Department)Tel: 020 8583 5555Fax:020 8583 5069e-mail: streetcare@hounslow.gov.ukJL

Jim Linwood ● 6462d

Rather than just giving up ask a Councillor or contact the planning department. I'm sure they will confirm what I say is correct.

Andy Jones ● 6462d

Hi KevinThanks for your advice but i have to take this seriously as Secretary of a School Committee if i place poster up advertising our Fairs i don't want the school to get any trouble so maybe its best if I don't then it doesn't offend anyone and no complaints are made to the School.But thanks Anyway

Simon Anderson ● 6462d

Simon, community activities have been posted on trees since the printing press was invented and they have never been regarded as flyposting. No local authority would treat them as such. A quick search on the internet showed the policy for another Council (for use of street furniture not trees) was as follows:"Signs advertising local community activities will be tolerated provided they• Do not cause an obstruction or danger to road users• They only advertise within 1 week of the event date,• They remove their adverts within 1 day of the event happening."If you are concerned I'm sure one of the local councillors who post here could confirm that this would be pretty close to Hounslow's policy. Even in the unlikely event they did forbid them I would still put up your notices as commercial flyposting is rife in the area and little seems to be done about it so if they are going to ignore this but target community posters they should be challenged.

Andy Jones ● 6462d

Many Thanks Jim that's much appreciated.

Simon Anderson ● 6462d

If you do it without the Council's permission (as owners of the trees and lamposts) you are "flyposting" which is an offence.http://www.encams.org/advice/main2.asp?pageid=24JL

Jim Linwood ● 6462d