Company put up fake road signs advertising East Riding holiday park
A court has ordered a company to pay more than £3,000 for putting up holiday park adverts disguised as road signs in the East Riding.
Beverley[1] Magistrates' Court[2] fined York-based Quantum Park Homes Ltd £3,327 for six fly-posting offences involving the advertisements which directed drivers to Oakwood Retreat Country Park. East Riding Council's[3] acting director of Streetscene Service Carl Skelton said fake road signs could pose a major hazard to motorists.
Magistrates heard on Wednesday, August 16 that the company had put up the signs at six junctions close to the holiday park, in Newton upon Derwent. Council officers found the signs, which included brown ones in the style of those which direct drivers to tourist attractions, attached to official posts.
They were found in Newton upon Derwent, as well as in Wilberfoss and Sutton upon Derwent in March and April. The company, which has previously received penalties for similar offences, did not have permission to put up the signs.
It did not respond when officers contacted them to ask them to remove the fake road signs. The company's representatives did not appear in court.
The fake road signs were found fly-posted near Oakwood Retreat Country Park in Newton upon Derwent (Image: East Riding of Yorkshire Council)
Quantum Park Homes Ltd, was fined £350 for each of the six offences and was ordered to pay costs of £387 and a victim surcharge of £840. It was prosecuted under the Highways Act 1980, which prohibits unauthorised signs and advertising on roads.
The council stated such signs can cause an obstruction, nuisance or distraction, which could also cause accidents and pose other dangers. It added all signs would be removed and that the council would recover the costs from those responsible.
Mr Skelton said the council would prosecute wherever it can when offences of this nature are committed. The official said: "Our officers will investigate and remove any signs put up illegally on the highway, signs like these could be a major hazard to motorists."
For more information about fly-posting or to report an offence, visit the council's website.[5]
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References
- ^ Latest Beverley news- Hull Live (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Latest courts news- Hull Live (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Latest East Riding of Yorkshire Council news- Hull Live (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Seaside flats were a danger to children- but landlord failed to act- Hull Live (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)
- ^ the council's website. (www.eastriding.gov.uk)
- ^ here (tinyurl.com)
- ^ here. (bit.ly)