'Road safety first please ' - What Echo readers said about plans for advertising screen over main Sunderland route

Motorists have criticised plans to install an advertising screen overlooking the A1231 in Sunderland.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Jun 2019, 05:00 BST
Updated 20th Jun 2019, 07:00 BST

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Plans have been submitted to place an LED display measuring about 18 square metres on the side of a print works overlooking the A1231.Plans have been submitted to place an LED display measuring about 18 square metres on the side of a print works overlooking the A1231.
Plans have been submitted to place an LED display measuring about 18 square metres on the side of a print works overlooking the A1231.

A proposal for the screen has been submitted to Sunderland City Council by planning consultancy Lichfields, acting on behalf of applicant La Plata Investments Ltd.

If approved, the LED display would be installed on the west side of the WH Forster print works in Pallion.

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Echo readers have slammed the plans, raising concerns about how the screen could distract drivers and how it may impact the landscape.

If approved, the screen will be near to the Northern Spire bridge.If approved, the screen will be near to the Northern Spire bridge.
If approved, the screen will be near to the Northern Spire bridge.

The screen would also be near to the new Northern Spire bridge, which was officially opened last summer.

Planning chiefs at the council have been advised the proposed screen should be banned from showing any form of film, video or animation, so as not to distract drivers.

Instead, it should show ‘static poster images’ only.

Here is what you had to say on the Sunderland Echo Facebook page:

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Ronnie Coe: “These ridiculous signs which are designed to attract your attention therefore distracting you from the job in hand, driving your car, are one day going to be the cause of a very big, serious accident.”

Brian Thurgood: “Road safety first please.”

Steven Conlin: “Could watch a full movie on it how long you sit at the many traffic lights there.”

Gem Olds: “I can see accidents happening.”

Robert Reay: “Build an iconic bridge put up a monstrosity next to it.”

Margy James: “Won’t that distract the drivers so it’s against the law to do that.”

David Watson: “That'll help the accident rate.”

Related topics:SunderlandSunderland City Council