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Protest against digital advertising screens on Bath Road
Campaigners used a giant yellow sticky note fixed to a billboard on Bath Road to make their feelings about the site clear.
“Dear JCDecaux, we don’t want your digital advertising screens. Signed, The People Who Live Here #ClimateEmergency,” read the homemade sign affixed to the vast hoarding as part of a protest that took place on Saturday, July 18.
The socially-distanced demonstration was to voice opposition to plans for two digital advertising screens on the site opposite a vacant plot that is set to be redeveloped into 150 new homes. Campaigners argue they pose a danger to road users, wildlife and the climate.
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A Bristol City Council planning committee refused permission for one screen and granted it for the other, but with restrictions imposed. JCDecaux, an international advertising giant and freeholder of the land, is appealing the decision.
Campaigners argue the proposed screens will have a detrimental impact on local residents and wildlife
Campaigner Barney Smith, who lives in Windmill Hill, slammed the new digital boards as “ugly intrusions into the local landscape”, arguing they are “even more dominating than the old ones”.
“We do not think that JCDecaux should be able to impose their billboards on Bristol,” said Barney. “We want to let the voices of the people who actually live here be heard for once.
“The energy-intensive digital ad screens which push new cars, fast fashion and junk food are bad for our local environment, our mental health and the climate.
“Residents shouldn’t have to fire-fight these applications for digital advertising screens on a case-by-case basis.”
He called for Bristol to lead the way with a city-wide policy against new corporate billboards.
They say the prominent digital displays will pose a danger to road safety
In a letter to the planning inspectorate seen by Bristol24/7, JCDecaux said: “The appellant is the freehold owner of the land and has occupied and used the land to displayed advertisements for more than 40 years.”
It states that the site has a history of applications to the city council for advertising use, which have been granted in the past.
The letter also claims the use of LED technology “represents a more sustainable form of advertising that is greener and cleaner than traditional fluorescent and incandescent lighting alternatives”.
Campaigners turned out for the socially-distanced demonstration on Saturday
Nicola Round, a member of Adblock Bristol, submitted a response to the Planning Inspector on behalf of the group.
She said: “67 people, including local residents and councillors, objected to the huge new digital advertising screens, raising concerns about local amenity, road safety, wildlife and climate impacts. 152 new homes are also currently being built directly opposite the site and we know these people will be seriously impacted by the screens.
“Yet JCDecaux want both screens approved and the conditions dropped. In their statement to the Planning Inspector they make no mention of the local opposition to their plans. They seem happy to ignore the views of local residents because these screens are hugely profitable for them, displaying six ads per minute with a changing image that draws the eye of motorists.”
The giant yellow sticky note was temporarily fixed to the existing billboard
There are plans to build new homes on the site opposite
Carla Denyer, a Green councillor for Clifton Down and member of AdBlock Bristol, attended the protest
A decision on the appeal is due next month.
JCDecaux has been contacted for comment and had not responded at the time of publication.
All photos by Tommy Chavannes and Carla Denyer
Read more: Street photography displayed on disused St Werburgh’s billboard
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