Roadside advertising

Giant services advertising including Costa coffee, M6 southbound approaching Keele services. Photo: Peter Hopkins

Since our formation in 1926, CPRE has fought to prevent large advertising displays blighting the countryside. We were instrumental in bringing about the regime of Areas of Special Control of Advertising in 1948, set up to prevent the spread of poster panels along main roads in the countryside.

Such advertising hoardings have blighted landscapes in large parts of North America and continental Europe. But the English countryside has been kept largely free of large, garish advertising — thanks to the regime of advertising control.

This achievement is now in serious danger. We've found hoardings spreading rapidly besides motorways and major roads across England. They spoil the countryside and there's a real risk they can distract motorists driving at high speeds.