Clutter is sign of the times

Today the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) called for a crackdown on signs, car boot sale placards and even sponsorship signs for roundabouts that are turning our roads into one giant advertising hoarding.

The CPRE is accusing district and county councils of encouraging the practice of sponsored signs as a way of raising extra money.

And it says a blind eye is turned to gaudy a-boards and signs that crop up across the West Midlands.

This problem comes despite the fact that the Government has issued a tough new policy on unauthorised roadside advertising. The Department of Communities and Local Government said more than 300 adverts have been removed from locations in the past year.

But the CPRE says it is fed up with sponsorship signs appearing on roundabout exits, such as on the Black Country Route, adding to the growing number of visual distractions on the roads. It claims investigations reveal that often such signage does not have the necessary consent . Even if it does, the campaign said it believes such a consent should have been refused.

Gerald Kells, who represents the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England in the Midlands, said: "Thankfully we are seeing the removal of motorway lorry signs from the M6 but other types of roadside advertising in the region are just as dangerous and are creating an eyesore."

Wolverhampton Council spokesman Tim Clark said: "Currently there are only two sponsored roundabouts in the city, one on the Stafford Road and one in Queen's Square.

"They tend to be small and in keeping with their surroundings. There are strict guidelines to ensure that is the case." Anyone wanting to report an irritating ad can call 020 7981 2800.