WITH the local elections looming ever closer, Limerick County Council has issued a timely reminder of the Litter Pollution Act and its provisions regarding the erection of election posters.
European and local election candidates have already hit the canvas trail ahead of the May 23 ballots but the Limerick electorate won’t have to endure the sight of their air-brushed posters staring down from every available lamppost for a few weeks yet.
Newly-appointed director of services for the Council’s Environment Department Kieran Lehane confirmed that, under the Litter Pollution Act, posters can only be erected within 30-days of the polling date.
Therefore. no posters should be erected before April 23 next and must be removed within seven days of polling day, Mr Lehane warned.
“The Road Traffic Acts contain requirements in relation to maintaining clear lines of sight for road users which may impact on where posters can be placed. Posters should never form an obstruction to sightlines or be a distraction to traffic, pedestrians or cyclists,” he said.
Posters and notices cannot be erected on lamp standards with overhead electricity feed, traffic signals, bridge parapets, overpasses, pedestrian bridges or roadside traffic barriers. Election candidates are also being warned that signs deemed to be a safety hazard will be removed.
“Section 20 of the Litter Pollution Act gives local authorities power to serve notices on the occupiers of properties in or visible from a public place to remove any advertisement if it is in the interests of the environment that it should be removed.
“An on-the-spot fine of €150 applies for unauthorised signage under the Litter Act,” Mr Lehane cautioned.
