News / Temple Quay
Signs banning photos and phones taken down
The day after controversial signs were first spotted around Temple Quay, they have been taken down.
On Sunday evening, Bristol24/7 first revealed the existence of the signs that appeared to ban photography and mobile phones from the area. But on Monday morning, they had disappeared.
The land at the rear of Temple Meads is owned by government agency Homes England, with plenty of signs still remaining that declare it to be private.
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One theory as to why the signs appeared is to do with the building at 3 Glass Wharf opposite Small Goods, which houses staff from HMRC as well as other government departments.
Homes England and real estate agents Avison Young have both been asked for comment.
One of the signs prohibiting photography and camera phones that has since been removed – photo: Martin Booth
There was consternation when the signs appeared, with many people asking how the ‘no photography’ and in particular the ‘switch off all camera phones’ edicts could be enforced.
The law appears to be that if a publicly accessible place is privately owned, then the owners can institute rules such as banning photography.
Prohibiting camera phones, however, would seem completely unworkable especially as most mobile phones nowadays have in-built cameras.
The route through Temple Quay is also used by cyclists heading to and from the Bristol & Bath Railway Path, some of who could be using GoPros.
“No photography? I bet they’ve got CCTV cameras every 10 yards though,” wrote Tim Green on Facebook.
“Silly and unenforceable,” tweeted Michael Lloyd-Jones.
“The phone ban is regarding all Ericsson GF788s,” added. K.Angelopoulos.
The Temple Quay Estate is owned by Homes England, as plenty of signs still in place inform – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- New signs appear to ban phones from Temple Quay
- The rise of pseudo public spaces in Bristol
- School admits carrying out covert CCTV surveillance of public
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