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Billboard appears ... in middle of bike lane

Company Clear Channel reportedly placed the billboard on the bike lane by accident in March, but have so far failed to remove it

A billboard has appeared in Sheffield – in the middle of a bike lane.

Cyclists were perplexed when the large sign was installed on a pavement cycle lane on Hanover Way, a busy city centre ring road, in March. However, despite concerns being raised, and the council promising to remove it, the sign remains across the bike lane.

The council told the Star they have asked Clear Channel, the company responsible for installing it, to remove it as a matter of urgency. However, it still remains in place, where it continues to block the bike path.

Dexter Johnstone, of campaign group CycleSheffield, told the Star: “This serves as a good example of the poor provision for people who want to make their journeys by bike and by foot in Sheffield.

“Given the city’s traffic congestion, poor air quality and the health benefits of exercise, the council should be making cycling and walking easier – not inconvenient and potentially dangerous.”

Johnstone says he raised the issue with the council on 17 March, when he says the council told him it should not have been installed there and would be removed. 

Cyclists call for action on Sheffield tram track

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, told road.cc: “This electronic advertising panel has been installed as part of a new contract with Clear Channel to replace the panel that was installed as part of the previous advertising contract.

"The Clear Channel site team was not able to put it in exactly the same location and it was moved to this position where there is insufficient safe clearance between the pavement and Hanover Way.

“As a matter of urgency, we have asked Clear Channel to relocate the panel to a location as close to the original position as possible to allow safe use of the highway by pedestrians and cyclists alike.

“We are working closely with groups like Cycle Sheffield to make improvements to Sheffield’s existing cycle network and thank them for their vigilance in bringing this to our attention.”

A Clear Channel spokesperson told road.cc: "Recently we replaced an ageing advertising site on Hanover Way in Sheffield with a new digital screen.

"Following feedback from local people and our partners at the Council, we are relocating the screen to improve access for the public, including pedestrians and cyclists who use this route. We’re working with the Council to ensure this work is carried out as soon as practical."

When asked to clarify if the matter was being treated as urgent the spokesperson said:

"We are treating this as a matter of urgency and will be re-locating the screen as soon as is practical and safe for both our staff and the public."

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12 comments

Avatar
whobiggs | 7 years ago
0 likes

No mention of the road sign just the other side of it huh? Obviously can't see it for this in the way. laugh

Avatar
burtthebike | 7 years ago
4 likes

Has anyone reported this to the police?  Surely the  most clear cut, undeniable example of obstruction of the highway it is possible to have, and any cyclist colliding with it would be able to sue for limitless amounts, not that I would want to put ideas into anyone's head.

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Napalmhaze | 7 years ago
3 likes

I see a perfectly good 'bike lane' on the right.... in the road... Bikes are traffic. 

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hawkinspeter | 7 years ago
4 likes

I reckon Clear Channel were just positioning it for maximum impact.

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Dnnnnnn replied to hawkinspeter | 7 years ago
1 like
hawkinspeter wrote:

I reckon Clear Channel were just positioning it for maximum impact.

Ideal for advertisers targeting cyclists.

Or cyclists targeting advertisements.

Avatar
PaulBox | 7 years ago
4 likes

Buy a can of high-vis paint, stick on some overalls (you can do anything if you're wearing overalls) and go and paint it, for safety reasons.

I bet the feking company would do something about it then.

Avatar
PpPete replied to PaulBox | 7 years ago
2 likes
PaulBox wrote:

Buy a can of high-vis paint, stick on some overalls (you can do anything if you're wearing overalls) and go and paint it, for safety reasons.

I bet the feking company would do something about it then.

'specially if you were to paint a large image of male genitalia upon it.

 

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rpswindells | 7 years ago
0 likes

deleted

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Dnnnnnn | 7 years ago
1 like

There was a similar board on the NCN along the Clyde in Glasgow, outside a hotel. It obscured most of the shared use path and diverted riders towards a concrete gully. It took about 10 years for it to be moved - you can still see the site (https://is.gd/Ib1S9a). If you turn left you can see where the thing now is (with cyclist included!).

Avatar
jollygoodvelo | 7 years ago
9 likes

Anyone got a JCB?  Shouldn't take more than a minute or two.

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maldin | 7 years ago
17 likes

If someone ripped it out and threw it into the car lane, I wonder how long it would take for the council to send someone along to take it out of the way? 

As for "thank them for their vigilance in bringing this to our attention" - I can only guess that they have set the bar of vigilance so low on account of the lack of vigilance of some motorists, that they are grateful when cyclists notice this object in their way!?  1 

Avatar
brooksby replied to maldin | 7 years ago
13 likes
maldin wrote:

If someone ripped it out and threw it into the car lane, I wonder how long it would take for the council to send someone along to take it out of the way? 

Problem is, many people don't see cycle lanes or cycle paths as real lanes/roads.

Hence why cycle lanes don't get swept or de-iced, why glass and other cr*p from the motor traffic lanes are swept onto the cycle paths in the hope that it'll all just magically disappear, and why nobody at Clear Channel stopped and thought "Hang on a minute..." but just put this advertising stand there anyway.

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