News / Advertising
Proposals for digital ad screen next to new segregated cycle lanes criticised
Campaigners have criticised the latest proposals for a digital advertising screen in central Bristol.
The proposals for the screen, which would show a new ad every ten seconds, were submitted by advertising company Clear Channel, and will form part of a new bus stop on Baldwin Street.
If approved, the screen would be located near to newly opened £1.4m segregated cycling lanes and pedestrian friendly infrastructure connecting Baldwin Street to Bristol Bridge.
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Adblock Bristol, a local campaign group that forms part of the wider Adfree Cities network across the UK, has objected to the plans, calling digital ad screens “distractions for drivers” and an “aggressive corporate presence”.
The digital advertising screen would form part of a floating bus stop on Baldwin Street next to Brewdog – photo: Mia Vines Booth
A spokesperson for the group said: “Bus stops don’t need advertising screens. Especially when each screen uses the same electricity as three to four UK homes, and continue to advertise flights, SUV cars and fossil fuel companies.
“Advertising promotes a culture of consumerism that’s outdated and trashing our planet, local places and global communities.
“Ad screens change the face of Bristol, the look and feel of where we live, with more light pollution, aggressive corporate presence, and distractions for drivers.”
The proposals have so far received 19 objections on Bristol City Council’s website, with many pointing out the proposed ad’s location in an historic part of the city, and the risk of distraction to cyclists and pedestrians.
One said: “We have far too many advertising boards in Bristol, we are reaching a point of saturation with them, they are incredibly wasteful in terms of electricity.”
Another added: “The bus shelter is great but a bright and horribly environmentally unsound screen will distract from the area and as a cyclist.”
If approved, the ad screen would be located next to a £1.4m project that has seen new segregated cycle lanes connect Baldwin Street to Bristol Bridge – photo: Mia Vines Booth
“This is a conservation area and the proposed bus stop advertisement would interfere with views along the floating harbour, or Bristol Bridge, of Castle Park and the historic St Nicholas Church,” said another.
Adblock Bristol has collected 100 testimonials that they say shows how digital billboards harm the wellbeing of people living nearby.
The latest digital advertising proposal comes after a huge digital ad screen next to Cabot Circus was turned on for the first time after being vandalised back in July.
Adblock has previously called for a ban on ‘high carbon’ ads for flights, SUVs and red meat on council owned advertising boards, and new digital screens around Bristol’s city centre.
Main photo: Adblock Bristol
Read next:
- Vandalised digital ad screen turned on for first time
- New segregated cycle lane opens on Bristol Bridge
- ‘We object to massive new ad screens for two main reasons: Ads and screens’
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