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Carpet Store fined for illegal signs
A well-known carpet store has been prosecuted for illegally attaching two advertising boards to concrete bollards on a grass verge in Sevenoaks Way, St Pauls Cray. Carpet Right pleaded guilty to the offence at Bromley Magistrates Court last week and was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1000.
“Advertising signs can look innocent enough but drivers can be distracted by them - and this comprises road safety. We want our streets to be safe for everyone to use. If we find any illegal signs on the public highway, we warn traders and ask for them to be removed. Only as a last resort will we prosecute” said Councillor Colin Smith, Executive Councillor for Environment and Leisure.
The court heard that during a routine inspection of Sevenoaks Way, a Council Enforcement Officer had found two Carpet Right advertising boards illegally placed on the grass verge adjacent to the store. A letter was sent to the store warning of the offence and requesting that advertising boards should not be placed there in future. When a subsequent inspection revealed two of the store’s advertising boards fixed to concrete bollards at the same location, legal action commenced.
To report an illegal sign on the highway or other street problem, call the Street Services Help Desk on: 020 8313 4621.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The date of the Court hearing was 26th July 2006. A fine of £700 with £300 costs was imposed on Carpet Right.
The store has been convicted of the same offence on four previous occasions:
COURT DATE FINE COSTS
29th June 2005 £1000 £300
26th May 1999 £1000 £140
14th October 1998 £600 £140
16th October 1996 £1500 £123
For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor on 020 8461 7670 e-mail andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk or Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager on 020 8313 4901
Further information is available at www.bromley.gov.uk