main content Estate agent fined for illegal street advertising

A local estate agent has been prosecuted for illegally fixing a ‘Sold’ board to a roadside barrier in Sevenoaks Way, St Paul’s Cray. T J Estates of Cotmandene Crescent pleaded guilty to the offence and were ordered to pay fines and costs of £150 by Bromley Magistrates Court.

“Estate agent advertisement boards should only ever be displayed on the private property they relate to and not on any item of street furniture. Not only is this form of advertising illegal but it’s also dangerous. Especially when the advertising board is attached to a roadside barrier near one of the busiest junctions in the borough - it could cause drivers to lose concentration with disastrous consequences.” said Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager.

During the hearing, the Court was informed that T J Estates had first received a warning from the Council in December last year. An Enforcement Officer had seen the estate agent advertisement board attached to the roadside barrier in Court Road, Orpington. A letter was subsequently sent advising of the offence and requesting its removal. In March 2005 when another board was seen attached to a roadside barrier in Sevenoaks Way, St Paul’s Cray, legal action was taken.

Under new legislation about to come into force, it is likely that the Council will soon be serving fixed penalty notices on offenders displaying illegal advertisements on the street. Court action would then only be considered if the fixed penalty notices were not effective.

Illegal signs on the street can be reported to the Council’s Street Services team on 020 8313 4621.

ENDS 

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor on 020 8461 7670 or Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager on 020 8313 4901 or e-mail andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk.