Glasgow tears down the flyposting ‘nightmare’

Published on Thursday 20 September 2001 01:00

GLASGOW City Council has set up a new campaign against illegal flyposters in a bid to clean up the city.

The deputy council leader, Jim Coleman, warned clubs and pubs taking advantage of the practice that they face losing their licence, a possible criminal conviction and a fine.

He said: “Flyposting is a nightmare in the city, because they are covering everything including junction boxes and shop windows.

“They are completely reckless and selfish people who are destroying the city, and we are no longer prepared to accept it so we are going to have a go at them.”

The council is deploying eight “hit squads” to identify the teams who stick up the posters illegally. If caught more than once, the police will be called in with a view to prosecuting the offenders.

Before the scheme gets under way, council officials will meet flyposting companies and organisations who use them, in an attempt to warn them of what is ahead.

Mr Coleman said: “This will be an all-out campaign, and we will make representations to the licensing board about whether these people are fit and proper people to hold a licence.”

Brian Kelly, services director at the council, pledged not to give up in the fight against the trade.

He said: “We will obliterate the posters with paint and will keep going back every time the posters re-appear. They will get tired before I do and will eventually have to accept that what they are doing is not working.”

Mr Kelly also vowed to bill organisations identified as carrying out flyposting.

He said: “Flyposting is a disgrace and I intend to make it my business to ensure companies which advertise this way don’t get value for money.

“It is difficult to stop graffiti and other damage if we allow flyposting to go untackled.

“These people are costing the taxpayers of this city, and I can see no good reason why the taxpayer should continue to pick up the bill.”

Earlier this year, Edinburgh City Council introduced teams of cleaners dubbed “Shining Stars” to help remove flyposters and chewing gum and to repair street furniture.

The 120,000 cost of the scheme aimed at topping-up the council’s existing service is being met by about 80 business in the city.