As part of Dorset Council’s highway management strategy, unauthorised signs will be removed from the highway.
Removal of signs will be prioritised according to highway safety, resource requirements and the interests of the community.
The Council may exercise their discretion not to enforce in some situations (e.g. small-scale charity events).
Dorset Council will charge a fee for the removal and storage of unauthorised signs that do not comply with this policy where applicable.
Objectives:
Dorset Council has the power to remove any items, including signs, placed within the highway that are considered a nuisance or a danger to highway users (including causing a danger by obstructing view) under section 149 of the Highways Act 1980. If the sign constitutes a danger to highway users, the sign may be removed under section 149 even if it is not in direct contravention of this policy.
It is also an offence under section 132 of the Highways Act 1980 to “affix a sign, picture or letter onto the surface of the highway, a tree, structure or works in or under the highway”.
The owner would be liable for a fine and the Highway Authority could remove the sign. The sign cannot be destroyed or sold unless a Court Order is first obtained under section 149 of the Highways Act 1980, as above.
This policy covers any sign placed within the highway, apart from the standard highway signs as detailed in the Traffic Sign Regulations and General Directions 2002 and placed by or with consent of the Highways Authority.
A small-scale charity event is one that is organised by a charity, organisation, school, parish or town council, etc. and that has a duration of no more than 2 days and one that is not expected to attract more than 500 people per day. It may be religious, educational, cultural, political, social or recreational in nature and it may involve fund raising, but it its primary purpose should be charitable and not commercial.
Inclusions:
Signs for temporary events which are purely advertising and provide no traffic direction information (although exceptions may be made for large scale events where significant traffic congestion is expected and advanced notification is helpful).
Exclusions:
Unauthorised signs will not be permitted on the highway and may be removed without notice and stored.
The originator of the sign will be contacted (where contact details are known) to let them know that the sign has been removed. They will be told that they can pick up the sign within 7 working days.
Where there is a continuous breech of this policy, the Community Highways Manager may authorise court action (please refer to: Unauthorised Signing - Removal Guidance).
Measures of effectiveness:
This policy was last reviewed in 2021.
The next review date is 2024.
