Banners have been outlawed by the Highways Division of the Department of Transport. In a press release issued this morning, the Department states that the placing of advertising banners on railings at Quarterbridge and at other sites around the Isle of Man is now prohibited.
The Department has reported that it receives many requests during the year from organisations and individuals to fix advertising banners to railings.
David Quirk MHK, Department Member with responsibility for Highways, explained ‘Although permission has been granted in the past for charities to place banners at the Quarterbridge, the Department has now made a policy decision that banners will no longer be permitted to be attached to any structures or street furniture, and especially on pedestrian guard rails (visibility fencing).
Mr Quirk added ‘There are several reasons for this – the banners can block visibility for drivers and pedestrians, they cause distraction to motorists and there is a significant danger of the banners coming loose and flapping in the wind.’ Mr Quirk explained to isleofman.com that by giving permission for banners to be placed on Department property there was a risk of liability should anything untoward occur.
Under the new policy, no approval will be given for banners at any location on the highway and any banners placed on railings and other highway locations will be removed by Department of Transport staff.
Anyone who finds that their banners have disappeared may collect them from the Department’s nearest Depot during normal working hours: Hills Meadow for those in the Douglas area, Glen Duff for those in the north, and Ellerslie for the south and west.
The press statement advises that any banners erected on private fences and walls must have the permission of the property owner.
Gavin Smith, General Manager at isleofman.com, the largest website promoting all businesses and organisations on the Island, said ‘It is disappointing to see a very common practice, which has gone on for so many years it could almost be described as an Island tradition, killed off by bureaucracy. But given the litigious environment we live in today, it is not a total surprise. However, all is not lost as there is plenty of room for everyone’s banners at isleofman.com'.
