Ekurhuleni removes billboard in Bedfordview
Ekurhuleni is coming down hard on those who do not comply with its by-laws.
Ekurhuleni is coming down hard on those who do not comply with its by-laws. Yesterday members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), together with the Sheriff of the Court, removed an illegally-erected billboard gantry on Van Buuren Road in Bedfordview.
In September, a 30-day court order to remove the structure was issued by the South Gauteng High Court to the company that owns the 20 metre-wide billboard. The erection of the heavy metal structure without permission of the municipality in 2009 resulted in the infringement of municipal by-laws. Ward 20 Councillor Jill Humphreys, was excited to see the removal of the gantry finally coming into effect. “Several strides have been made with all the relevant stakeholders for the past five years to have the structure removed without success. This will be a great relief to Bedfordview residents and motorists who frequently use the Van Buuren Road,” Humphreys said. Motorists regularly complained about the billboard being close to the traffic lights thus obstructing their vision. The structure is also too big for an average road like Van Buuren Road. According to the High Court interdict, the company was given one month to remove the billboard. Having failed to adhere to the court order, the company will be liable to pay the costs for the removal, the sheriff’s costs as well as legal costs which all amount to approximately R500 000. The dismantled billboard gantry material will be stored at the EMPD’s storage facility.
