§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress the police have made with their inquiries into the cutting back of planting on land belonging to the Highways Agency bordering the A12 trunk road Witham bypass adjacent to the advertising hoardings on land owned by Braintree District Council; and what steps they intend to take to ensure that these plantings are not again cut back to expose the advertising hoardings. [HL451]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe Highways Agency understands that Essex Police have been in touch with Braintree District Council and the Allam Group, the organisation that controls advertising on most of the216WA hoardings, to make enquiries. Essex Police have indicated that it would be difficult to identify the culprit(s) responsible.
The Highways Agency is unable to guarantee that other parties will not attempt to cut back the planting on the embankment in the future. Braintree District Council, the Allam Group and its clients are now aware of the agency's position regarding the planting and that it will take the strongest action against those proven to have caused criminal damage or trespass.
§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Along which trunk roads in England and Wales advertising is displayed contrary to Planning Policy Guidance Note No. 19 and the Department of the Environment Circular 5/92. [HL452]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe information requested by the noble Lord is not available. Trunk roads in Wales are the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales. Our policy in England is that the Highways Agency should not permit the placing of advertisements on trunk road land in contravention of PPG19 or DoE Circular 5/92 and any unauthorised advertisements should be removed. Control of advertisements on land outside the trunk road boundary is the responsibility of local planning authorities.