News / easton
Campaigners demand ‘intrusive’ digital billboards overlooking M32 are removed
The two digital advertising screens overlooking the M32 are “a daily nightmare” for people who live near them, say campaigners who want them removed.
Adblock Bristol say that the billboards in Easton are impacting mental health, distracting drivers and undermining local businesses.
More than 500 people have now signed a petition asking Bristol City Council to remove the screens, one which is off Gas Alley next to RJ Wholesale and the other beside the Shah Jalal Jame Mosque’s women’s prayer hall on Redding Road.
is needed now More than ever
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AdBlock Bristol say: “When the screens were granted permission five years ago, no one was prepared for the damage they would cause to the lives of people living locally or travelling past them.
“Testimonials from over 100 people reveal that the screens’ extremely bright light shines directly through residents’ windows day and night.
“They impact mental health and distract drivers, and the incessant light confuses local wildlife. Each screen uses a colossal amount of electricity – all for the sake of unwanted, intrusive big brand adverts from far away companies selling us stuff we don’t need.
“With the screens gone, local residents could sleep properly again. The birds would stop singing all through the night. Removing the screens would send a message to everyone in our creative, free-thinking, community-minded city: that the wellbeing of people and our environment are more important than corporate profit.
“It is five years since these screens were given permission and this gives Bristol City Council an opportunity to take action to remove them. We’re calling on mayor Marvin Rees to take a lead in getting these screens removed to create happier, fairer neighbourhoods for us all.”
Campaigners say the adverts “sell us stuff we don’t need” (cider excluded) – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: ‘Why we need an ad-free Bristol’
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