Action on flyposting in Scarborough - the unauthorised adverts and signs on our roadside verges and fences

The borough authority will work with its county council counterparts to address the issue, which was brought to its attention by Scarborough Civic Society.

Society member Adrian Perry spoke at the borough’s planning committee meeting last Thursday to make members aware of what he called a growing “nuisance”.

Mr Perry’s concern was about signs that are hammered into grass verges on the main roads in and out of town and also on railings and fences on the main commuter routes.

He said: “In recent months many railings, walls, roundabouts and grass verges have been used as places to advertise businesses.

“In past years this form of flyposting has been a nuisance.

“But now it seems a more organised affair with reputable companies becoming involved in this activity.

“Can the committee look at ways for this flyposting epidemic to be controlled as our roadsides are becoming overloaded with this intrusive clutter which needs to be cleared away or, at the very least, controlled.”

The committee heard that last year more than 200 signs from just one business were removed from the side of the roads around Filey.

Mr Perry added that it appeared to be a professional organisation that was carrying out the flyposting.

He said: “I suspect somebody is paying somebody to do this work all around Scarborough. These things are not just happening to be there. It has extensive coverage, all major routes into Scarborough covered.

“I won’t name the company but one has spent a considerable amount of money cluttering our streets with their advertisement signs. If we let this continue it is just going to escalate.”

David Walker, planning manager, responded to Mr Perry saying there are rules that allow for some signs to be posted without consent but they should still have the permission of the land or building owner. If it is on a highway then permission from the Highway Authority is required.

He added that North Yorkshire County Council only removes signs from highways if there is deemed to be a risk to public safety.

Planning committee chairman Cllr Eric Broadbent has now asked the authority’s planning and legal officers to work with the county council to come up with a coordinated way of addressing the growing concerns over signs.

Cllr Broadbent added: “We all have our sympathies [with the concerns], especially when you’re driving they are a distraction.”