What CPRE is doing

CPRE has long and successfully campaigned for the countryside to be kept clear of advertising. Roadside trailer advertising is the latest challenge. With the force of the law and Government policy behind us, we're determined to fight and defeat it.

Influencing where it matters
We've lobbied since January 2005 to raise the political profile of the issue, and briefed MPs and Lords who share our concerns. The result of this pressure has been that the Planning Minister, Yvette Cooper MP has undertaken in 2006 to:

write to local planning authorities in the 'hotspot' areas we have identified urging them to get unauthorised advertising removed;

issue revised guidance to encourage local planning authorities to stop unsightly roadside advertising; and

set-up a database of offending companies and publicise examples of best practice in removing unauthorised advertisements on the Government's Planning Advisory Service website, to be set up during February 2005.

We've written to the Minister, welcoming her initiative but urging it must be followed up with real action. We also believe that these measures will only work if the database includes information on sites as well as companies so that local authorities can take enforcement action more quickly, and that the revised guidance encourages local authorities and the Highways Agency to use the database. We also want the guidance to encourage local authorities to use Areas of Special Control.

Highlighting the hoarding hotspots
CPRE survey, with the support of our volunteers, the Countryside Agency and the Highways Agency, shows just how widespread the problem is becoming.

CPRE in the West Midlands has recently provided an update on the ‘hotspots’ in that region.

Naming and shaming the trailer advertisers
We've trawled the Internet and the motorways to compile a list of the companies and websites that are peddling roadside trailer advertising, along with some of the big names that have used it in recent months. Accor Hotels and Tesco have subsequently got in touch with CPRE and renounced the use of such advertising.

Showing how local authorities can take action
Local authority enforcement officers in Chester, East Devon, South Somerset and Warwick district councils have shown how to get rid of unauthorised roadside advertising. We've also written to every other local authority in England asking them to endorse our campaign and let us know about the action they are taking. So far, 72 have responded positively to our request.

Capturing the eyesores on camera
Our photo gallery, compiled by CPRE volunteers, shows the blight of roadside advertising in all its 'glory'.