Company fined for illegal flyposting

The company was fined at a hearing at Reading Magistrates' Court

A business has been fined for putting up unauthorised signs and not responding when the council ordered them to be removed.

Reading Borough Council took ResinPrint Drives Ltd to court after signs advertising a range of driveway work appeared in Caversham and Southcote in Berkshire.

The company did not attend the hearing at Reading Magistrates' Court on 11 July and was ordered to pay a £500 fine, a victim surcharge of £200 and costs of £1,475.

The company, which is based in South Wales, did not respond to the BBC's request for comment.

Councillor Micky Leng, lead for planning, said unauthorised flyposting makes places look "messy and uncared for".

"I'd like to thank the residents who took the time to report the flyposting to our planning enforcement team and would encourage other communities to do the same if they spot similar signage which clutters up our street and can hinder sightlines for road users, posing a potential danger to all," he said.

Three further advertisements for ResinPrint Drives have since been observed at the bottom of London Road and Shepherds House Lane, the council said.

The authority said the planning enforcement team would continue to monitor it, and would bring further proceedings if needed.