Council to remove ‘illegal’ Pleasureland advertising

Sefton Council has confirmed it is removing “illegal” signage promoting Pleasureland’s Day of the Dead weekend.

Dozens of posters for the event have been posted on crossings, road signs and lamposts across the town.

Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Highways Act 1980, local authorities in the UK have the power to control advertisements and to ensure the orderly use of public spaces.

Local councils have the authority to remove flyposted material and can pursue legal action against offenders. Flyposting can be treated as a criminal offense. Fines and penalties vary depending on the local council’s policies and the scale of the offense.

Similiar signage has recently appeared for other local businesses, such as Lord Street’s Kaboom Fireworks, who disrupted Princess Anne’s visit to the town in September by advertising from the premises on a tannoy system, prompting a visit from police.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “We would like to remind all businesses that advertising erected on highway furnishings is not allowed.

“This includes pedestrian crossings, guard rails and lighting columns.

“We can confirm that signage which has appeared across Southport relating to a privately run pyrotechnics event is illegal and we have already begun a process to remove these.

“As well as disposing of these illegal posters Sefton Council is exploring all options and powers available to the local authority to further discourage this behaviour in future.”