Hoardings Could Cause Deaths

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30803, 15 July 1965, Page 14

Hoardings Could Cause Deaths

(New Zealand Press Association/

WELLINGTON, July 14.

Outdoor advertising—in the wrong place and under the wrong conditions—can be a cause of lethal accident, the Commissioner of Works (Mr P. L. Laing) said today.

Mr Laing was commenting on a bulletin recently published by the department’s town and country planning

branch The bulletin was published to draw to the attention of local authorities the powers they already held for controlling this form of advertising. “In the right place and under the right conditions outdoor advertising has a useful iob to do. “But in the wrong ace and under the wrong conditions, it is unsightly and may well be a cause of lethal accidents." Mr Laing said “Hoardings and posters have become an accepted feature of our environment especially in commercial or industrial areas, but alone 6 : de bu«v intersections th«> more efficient the sign in extracting attention, the mor. ' of a men’ce it ran he tn! drivers who ought tn he! keening their attention firm'vj fixed on ’heir dri"ing.” Mr! Laing said. He said the bulletin re-1 minded local authorities that 1

under the Town and Country Planning Act of 1953 they were required to prepare district planning schemes Regulation of outdoor advertising was one of the matters covered. Ordinances could be framed to control outdoor advertising in - rural and residential zones, while permitting it in commercial and industrial zones, subject to council approval. Mr Laing said. Councils had the power to require removal of signs which in their opinion detracte’ from the amenities of the neighbourhood or constituted a danger, the Commissioner of Works said. “The bulletin emphasises the need to keep residential and rural areas free of unnecessary signs for aesthetic reasons, but comments that wel' designed and properly sited advertisements can play a part in enlivening the urbrn scene.

“The type of advertisejment to be encouraged is the me designed to fit its surroundings. and not the one added as an afterthought," Mr Laing said.