Controversial advertising sign on major South Tyneside road to be put back in place
The screen - on the A194 at Leam Lane in Jarrow - disappeared in recent weeks, leaving just the frame used to hold the display empty.
South Tyneside Council, which installed the sign in partnership with advertising display Kong, has said it will be back up and running soon.
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Hide AdA spokeswoman said: “The advertising screen located on the A194 is used to promote the council’s own services and events as well as bring in valuable advertising revenue.
“We are currently carrying out maintenance works to the frame, which are almost complete. The screen will be reinstated in the near future.”
The authority has repeatedly declined to say how much cash is generated by the sign.
It says that information is “commercially confidential.”
It has also previously refused to reveal the cost of the project.
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Hide AdThe 10ft by 20ft signs was installed in 2017 without planning permission, which was later granted by the council retrospectively - six months from when it was put into operation.
It came under fire from motorists who found the lighting too bright during the hours of darkness, leading to claims it was an “accident waiting to happen.”
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Hide AdAs part of the planning consent granted, the display - since toned down in brightness - is also bound by other conditions.
These include that the sign will only be in place for the next five years.
The minimum display time for each digital advertisement image shall be no less than 10 seconds and all advertisement images must be be static - which means no special effects, flashing, or smoke.
The change interval between advertisement images is set at be 0.2 seconds, the complete screen shall change and the screen should include a mechanism to turn off in the event of a malfunction.