Trowbridge organisations are being threatened with fines of up to £250 a day after falling foul of a Wiltshire Council crackdown on fly-posting.

The town’s voluntary organisations, sports clubs and businesses were given just three days to take down unauthorised advertising banners, posters and signs.

Among those who received the warning letters were the Trowbridge Weavers Market and Trowbridge Westbourne Bowls Club. Both had banners advertising forthcoming events in June which they have now been forced to remove.

Cllr Stewart Palmen, chair of the Trowbridge Weavers Market organising committee, said: “It has been going on for years and it is a really good way of advertising events and activities.

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Wiltshire Times: Organisations with banners on railings at the Stallard Street Recreation Field opposite Holy Trinity Church were given three days to removed them or face prosecution. Image Trevor Porter 77082-3Organisations with banners on railings at the Stallard Street Recreation Field opposite Holy Trinity Church were given three days to removed them or face prosecution. Image Trevor Porter 77082-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

“But we have been told to remove them and were given only three days to do so or face daily fines of £250.”

Mike Prior, who designed the Wiltshire Flag, speaking on behalf of the bowls club, said: “It’s such a shame, but the law is the law, I suppose.”

Wiltshire Times: The Trowbridge Westbourne Bowls Club was forced to remove this unauthorised banner advertising its open weekend on June 8 and 9. The Trowbridge Westbourne Bowls Club was forced to remove this unauthorised banner advertising its open weekend on June 8 and 9. (Image: Trowbridge Westbourne Bowls Club)

Wiltshire Council ordered the enforcement crackdown following feedback from communities that fly-posting is an issue throughout the county.

Cllr Nick Holder, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for highways and street scene, said: “Fly-posting is not only unsightly, it is also against the law, and that’s why we are taking action against illegal advertising throughout Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Times: Banners were quickly removed from the Stallard Street Recreation Field railings. Image: Trevor Porter 77082-2Banners were quickly removed from the Stallard Street Recreation Field railings. Image: Trevor Porter 77082-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

“We’re taking a common sense approach to this, and in most cases we’ll ask people to remove any illegal advertising we find in the first instance.

“However, if people ignore this, or if they are repeat or large-scale offenders, we will take action, including issuing fixed penalty notices or prosecuting.

“We’re also mindful that community groups advertise their events on council land, and so we’re asking them to ask permission beforehand, and we will work with them to enable them to showcase their events.”

The council said it was an offence to display the banners, posters and signs because they were in contravention of the Town & Country Planning Regulations and the Highways Act 1980.

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It added: “Such offences are subject to a maximum fine of Level 4 upon summary conviction in the Magistrates Court, with a continuing daily fine of up to £250 for failing to remove the unauthorised sign (per sign).”

The council said that if organisations failed to completely remove the advertisements within three days, they would face prosecution without further notice.

Fly-posting takes place when advertisements are displayed without the consent of the owner or occupier of the land or premises. Some advertisements also require planning permission before they can be displayed, even on private property.

In Trowbridge, the owners of banners, posters and signs on the roundabouts on the Hilperton Road, Longfield and Stallard Street, as well as the Frome Road, County Way, Bythesea Road and West Ashton Road, have been ordered to remove them.

Wiltshire Times: Banners still remain at Cradle Bridge off County Way. Image: Trevor Porter 77082-4Banners still remain at Cradle Bridge off County Way. Image: Trevor Porter 77082-4 (Image: Trevor Porter)

If fly-posters fail to comply with a warning or they are repeat or large-scale offenders, the council will take further action, which could mean issuing a fixed penalty notice of £75 per sign, or prosecution, which could lead to a fine of up to £2,500 if the offender is convicted.

The council says that where communities, including town and parish councils, wish to promote events such as fetes, fayres and other celebrations with advertising on council land, they must seek approval from their local Wiltshire Council highways team.

Applicants will need to give at least four weeks’ notice and state the reason for the signage, its location, how long it will be in place for, and the types of signage to be used so the application can be considered.