Signage company ordered to remove billboards

5 Jan 2012

The Western Cape High Court has ordered a signage company to remove nine billboards promoting liquor, fast food outlets, financial institutions and in one case, the signage company itself, the City of Cape Town said on Wednesday, 4 January 2012.

The court held that in addition to contravening the city's outdoor advertising and signage by-law, some signs put up by Independent Outdoor Media (IOM) also contravened national building regulations, the roads ordinance, and the city's zoning regulations.

"The judge found in favour of the city on all counts and ordered the removal of all nine billboards by 6 January.

"The sheriff of the court has been authorised to remove the signs if IOM fails to do so, with IOM being liable for the cost of removal," the city said.

"Failed to comply with numerous notices"

The judge ruled IOM was liable for the cost of the city's senior counsel and for a specialist traffic consultant. The judgment was made following the city's application for an interdict in June 2009 after the billboards were erected on buildings.

"Some of the signs were erected over a decade ago and IOM has failed to comply with numerous notices served on them calling for the removal of the signs," the city said.

The billboards were erected in Somerset West, Sir Lowry Road, the Main Road in Rondebosch, Buitensingel, Nelson Mandela Boulevard, the N2, New Church Street and Kloof Street.

The billboards are as much as 54 square metres in area. Some are up to twelve metres long.

"Without any tangible advantage"

The city said the signage industry in Cape Town was extremely profitable, with outlays minimal. A single sign could earn a signage company more than R20 000 a month.

"If left unchecked, the proliferation of such signs is thus inevitable and the consequence will be a degradation of the aesthetics of our environment, all without any tangible advantage or benefit for the residents of Cape Town," the city said.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge

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