Takeaway owner fined for roadside advertising van with no tax or MOT

AN Indian takeaway has been prosecuted over a van carrying a large advert that was parked on roads around Yate.

South Gloucestershire Council prosecuted the owner of Spice 37, in Wellington Road, for fly-posting after the hoarding on a flatbed van was spotted in Lodge Road and Rodford Way.

Ifran Raja Ahmed was ordered to pay a total of £4,413 in fines and costs after being found guilty in his absence on October 14, when he failed to appear at Bristol Magistrates Court.

The court heard that in October last year the Iveco banner van was left parked on the highway at Lodge Road, Yate.

It had no tax or MOT.

The business owner was sent a letter, highlighting the offences and asking him to remove the van.

In April this year he was sent another warning after the van was seen “in various locations” including the roundabout at the bottom of Rodford Way and near the junction of Rodford Way and Westerleigh Road.

Council’s ‘three strike’ policy

The council said on the third occasion a fixed penalty fine was issued, along with a community protection warning (CPW) against further fly-posting, under its “three-strike” policy.

The fine was not paid, despite two reminders in May.

The council sent an officer to the takeaway at the end of that month, and staff provided Ahmed’s name and contact number.

He confirmed being the owner of the business but claimed he had not received the fine letter, so the council delivered a new copy by hand to the takeaway on June 6.

A council spokesperson said officers then called Ahmed, who said he “would arrange payment without delay” once he had seen the notice.

The spokesperson added: “To date no further contact has been had with Ahmed and the fixed penalty has not been resolved.”

Ahmed was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay costs of £913 and a victim surcharge of £1,000, making a total of £4,413.

Council left with ‘no option’

After the case cabinet councillor Sean Rhodes said: “Unauthorised roadside advertising is illegal, often unsightly, and can block visibility or cause a distraction to other road users.

“The council will always try to work with local businesses to resolve any issues however in cases such as this where owners fail to engage, we are left with no option than to prosecute through the courts.”

Residents who see illegal fly-posting are being encouraged to report it to the council’s StreetCare helpdesk on 01454 868000, emailing streetcare@southglos.gov.uk or visiting www.southglos.gov.uk/report.