COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY TO FLYPOSTING IN STOCKPORT

Ultimate Kitchens (NW) Ltd trading as The Kitchen Showroom pleaded guilty to seven offences of flyposting at Stockport Magistrates Court on Wednesday 5^th February.  

The company was fined £250 per offence, a total of £1,750 and ordered to pay £994.16 towards all Stockport Council’s costs. The company was also ordered to pay a £25 victim surcharge.

The flyposting offences were contrary to Section 132(1) of the Highways Act 1980.

The Warrington based company placed directional signs leading to their showroom on Woodford Road, Bramhall in Stockport around the main roundabout on the A34 with the junction of the A555 near Stanley Green and on the Woodford Road roundabout close to the showroom. Signs were staked into the ground on grass verges on a number of occasions over several months between May and October 2013.

The company had been warned that they were committing offences but continued to flypost. Stockport Council Enforcement Officers continued to remove numerous signs.

However, despite being advised, during an interview under caution, of the illegal nature of flyposting, and that the company must remove all the signs from the highway, the flyposting continued leaving the Council no alternative but to take the successful legal action.

The Council has a zero tolerance policy to flyposting and receives numerous complaints from members of the public. The posters created a distraction for motorists and had a detrimental effect on the appearance of the area.

Councillor Stuart Bodsworth, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Sustainability, said:

“Flyposting is a form of unauthorised advertising which spoils the appearance of an area. It can also be dangerous as items left in the road or on pavements are potential hazards for road users and pedestrians.

“This case should serve as a warning to others that when we have sufficient evidence of flyposting offences the Council will take the appropriate action to safeguard the public.”