On a grass-roots level local groups in Stroud, Gloucestershire have shown their voices can be heard and have an effect. Now with proposed Digital Display Boards.
An update: The Stroud District Council have turned down the application for a digital advertising board, showing that voices of residents can be heard — if we speak up! The ‘case’ isn’t totally finished: the company applying could still put in an application for a non-digital (rotating paper) display board.
Digital Display Boards are popping up in all sorts of locations, from motorway rest stops to town centres and shopping districts. In Stroud, planning permission has been put in for advertising boards at a bus station along a very busy road — the main road going through the edge of town, with car and bus traffic mixing with pedestrians. Protest is arising saying these would be unsafe distractions for drivers, considering the amount of pedestrian activity, not to speak of unnecessary and often unwanted distractions for those waiting for a bus.
Below is the leaflet produced by one group for raising public awareness on the issues. Feel free to download; spread the messages further: there’s bound to be soon a new application for such a board in your area! Use it as a template.
These boards would harm the character of Stroud which is known for its unique appearance. The bus station is often the first glimpse of the town a visitor has. Boards like these advertising things we don’t need will cause the town centre to lose its unique character.
These boards would harm the character of Stroud which is known for its unique appearance. The messaging from these boards can be insideous encouraging behaviour in a subliminal way by big corporations who do not care for our wellbeing.