The ±±¾©Èü³µpk10 to Protect Rural England is dismayed by the spread of roadside hoardings, describing them as a danger to drivers and a blight on the countryside. It wants local authorities to enforce planning regulations, which specify that their presence is illegal.
In a report issued today it estimates there are around 900 such ads across England, or one for every three miles of major fast roads. It said that on one particular ten-mile stretch of rural motorway a motorist may see a hoarding every 30 seconds.
The list of advertisers using the medium includes McDonald's, KFC, Tesco and Costa Coffee and a number of less well-known advertisers, of which Kitchens for Sale has the most sites.
It also names six companies selling roadside ads: Drive By Media, In Field Advertising, M6 Ads, M6 Media, Road Media and Zoom Ads.
It has not accused any companies of breaking the law, but has said that it believes many hoardings have been set up without the necessary consent from local authorities, while some local authorities have given consent where they should not have.
The Outdoor Advertising Association has backed the CPRE and said that none of its members are involved in such activity. OAA director Alan James said that local authorities have the power but not necessarily the money to stop roadside advertising.
A McDonald's spokesman defended the company against the report. "The advertising referred to in the report is an example of a local initiative and is not part of our corporate marketing strategy," he said.
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