News / Politics
Digital billboards given the go-ahead
Digital advertising billboards will be installed on two roads in Bristol, after councillors gave their support.
George Ferguson had given approval for the hoardings on Temple Way and Bond Street, which would generate revenue for the council, at a cabinet meeting in January.
But the Green Party “called-in” the decision, which was discussed at an extraordinary meeting of full council.
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In documents submitted to the council, leader Rob Telford said: “We feel that the financial and revenue implications of this decision should be made open to the public.”
Fellow party members argued the billboards were unsightly and had the potential to increase stress by bombarding residents with more advertisements.
But the party came under attack from Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem councillors.
Geoff Gollop, Conservative councillor for Westbury-on-Trym, said the “Greens are supporting austerity” by turning potential revenue down.
“When members use call-ins to prevent money being diverted to the most vulnerable in this city I think we have a problem,” he said.
Lib Dem leader Gary Hopkins added: “We know the Green Party is against billboards, that is why they paid for so many to be put up ahead of the General Election.”
Fabian Breckels, Labour councillor for St George East, said: “Digital advertising is going to happen. The question is, do we want the council to make money or all the profit to go to the private sector?”
Tim Malnick, Green Party councillor for Bishopston, defended his party’s opposition to the new billboards. “I think the brand of Bristol is as an independent, free-thinking, creative city, and if we can’t come up with a better way to create revenue than this then I’m really disappointed.”
Ferguson responded by saying the proposals were “considered and modest” in comparison to similar hoardings in other cities.
He added: “I have to be entrepreneurial in running this city and I have to make balanced judgements.”
Councillors voted 41 to 16 (with one abstention) against the Green Party’s proposals to send the decision back to Ferguson.