A FARMER who has helped create a tourist attraction in Warrington has hit out at “heavy handed” council chiefs who he claims are costing him 60 per cent of his business by banning the use of advertisements on his land alongside a busy motorway.
David Fryer, owner of Apple Jacks Farm, Stretton, runs “The Maize Maze” and “Spooky World” and has been using advertising banners on his land alongside the motorway.
But these have been removed after Warrington council threatened to prosecute him over his “illegal” advertising signs on trailers in fields alongside the M56.
He also claims the council has taken a “legal charge” which in effect means they control his land.
Mr Fryer claims losing the signs will cost him 60 per cent of his business and that the council is “stifling local business.”
He says the council is reacting to pressure from the Highways Agency who want such advertising signs removed, but Warrington is one of the few authorities yielding to such pressure, others having refused to do so.
He also claims the council has given him mixed messages saying a couple of years ago the legality of such advertising was a “grey area” and telling him he could keep the signs.
Now he says the same person is telling him he must move them!
Mr Fryer says he has now moved the signs under protest because he does not want to acquire a “criminal record.”
“We attract large number of children on to his farm to teach them about animals, agriculture and the environment and that the signs are really directional signs to help people find their way.”
Peter Taylor, head of service for regeneration and development, said: “We are currently in discussions with Mr Fryer about the removal of illegal signs.
“Warrington, and other council’s, have decided to speak to relevant landowners about removing illegal signs that are placed close to motorways, following legitimate concerns raised by the Highways Agency about the possible dangers these signs pose to motorists.
“The health and safety of motorists is paramount in this situation and in most cases signs have been removed through discussion and negotiation with the relevant landowners.
“This is our preferred course of action with any formal prosecution being a last resort. In Mr Fryer’s case, an agreement with the landowner has secured removal of the signs and enabled formal proceedings to be withdrawn.
“We will continue to seek the removal of any illegal signage which results in potential threat to highway safety, while recognising the legitimate needs for business to properly and sensitively promote their activities.”
A FARMER who has helped create a tourist attraction in Warrington has hit
out at "heavy handed" council chiefs who he claims are costing him 60
per cent of his business by banning the use of advertisements on his
land alongside a busy motorway.
Farmer hits out at illegal signs ban
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
5 Comments
Maybe they should also tidy up all the legal signs as well that are too confusing such as the sign graveyard that is the Palmyra Square. They are far more distracting than a trailer on the side of the road in Appleton. Some of the worst signs in that area include the one at the junction coming up towards the church, there is loads of no entry, dead end and one way and two way signs all mixed up there, and the funniest one is the one way street sign in front of the Parr Hall, this has been there since before the road was blocked in the middle and now it means that legally you can enter from one end of the road, but not exit and from the other end you can exit but not enter (without driving through the barriers that is!)
“5 accidents in 20 months on this road” make it 6 i just ran into the back of someone reading these bloody stupid signs!!
Typical of WBC wacking successful local businesses with stupid rules, regulations and red tape. Its no wonder our country is losing its entrepeneurs when we reward honest tax paying people… contributors with ridiculous senseless stupidity. How many thousands has this cost the local council tax payers????????
Perhaps the highways agency should worry about their own advertising policies – such as having “Truckfest” and the dates of such events, for instance, plastered on electronic matrix signs that should be used for safety and informational purposes only. What hypocrisy.
Personally I don’t see a problem with this farmers signs – he is using his own land to advertise his own business. Fair play to this chap at a time when farmer’s have it tough (when do they not?). What I dont agree with is adverts for ambulance chasers and used car businesses littered along the motorway.
Once again you have local yokel do nothing politicans with nothing to do but drive hard working people out of business. It was probably a big store like Wal-Mart complaining because it would take business away from thyem. It’a a good thing when local tresidents take an intrest and support local businesses.