By Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter MORE THAN 1,000 illegal billboards, banners and signs have been taken down by the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) since it began a campaign to rid the Corporate Area of unapproved signage more than a month ago.
According to Town Clerk Errol Greene, the KSAC has already removed most unapproved signage from around Constant Spring Road in St. Andrew in a process, which he said is ongoing.
The KSAC has been setting up a data base recording the number of signs on a street-by-street basis. The municipal authority has recorded 335 signs along Hagley Park Road, 671 in Constant Spring and 370 between Half-Way Tree and Cross Roads in St. Andrew. Most were illegal, he said.
"In one day, we took down over 300 illegal signs," said Mr. Greene. Included in the 1,000 were business identification and product advertising signs commissioned by several multi-national corporations such as Pepsi, Berger and Esso and churches, the Town Clerk explained.
He lamented that the level of compliance was low among smaller businesses but added he has been working with several larger sign companies and other organisations.
He said the exercise has resulted in several delinquents paying related fines, including one church which reportedly forked over $60,000 in litter fines.
In late May, the KSAC warned owners and operators of establishments that they stood to lose signs because the KSAC would be tearing down illegal banners, billboards, awnings and other unapproved signage.
