Roads: Illegal Motorway Advertisements
Debate between Earl Attlee and Lady Saltoun of Abernethy
Earl Attlee
My Lords, it is a matter for the local authority to enforce the regulations. The problem is the exploitation of the flexibility in the regulations that allows an advertisement on a vehicle to be exempt. Farmers are leaving a trailer parked in the field for months; it is very difficult for the local authorities to prosecute but it is for them to determine their priorities.
Lady Saltoun of Abernethy
My Lords, does the Minister agree that it is not the illegal advertisements that are dangerous and distracting to drivers—because a good driver pays no attention to them? Rather, it is the totally unnecessary and frivolous legal notices, which say things like “Please drive carefully” in lettering a little too small to be easily read.
Earl Attlee
My Lords, the noble Lady makes an important point but we are talking about advertisements on the strategic route network.