A giant free-standing advertising billboard has been turning heads after it was suddenly erected on the dual carriageway behind Cabot Circus.
The 35ft high digital screen has been placed right in the middle of the pavement, facing motorists heading up Temple Way towards the Bond Street/M32 junction, just before they pass under the footbridge to the Cabot Circus car park. The giant digital screen is held up by one triangular pillar, and is right in the middle of the pavement, although there is still enough room for pedestrians, pushchairs and wheelchairs to get past on either side.
Bristol Live can reveal that the ad agency responsible, JCDecaux, originally asked for permission to put up more of the huge digital ad boards, in the central reservation of Temple Way and round the corner of Cabot Circus, on Bond Street.
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There has been a less-than welcoming reaction to the sudden appearance of the digital ad-board, created by ad agency JC Decaux, from a number of groups in Bristol.
The creation of the billboard of that scale in that location was originally proposed in 2018. JC Decaux asked for planning permission and council officers recommended it be given permission, but Bristol Live reported in July 2018 that the elected councillors refused.
The ad firm went to appeal, and a planning inspector visited the site and ruled that, because the site on the west side pavement on Temple Way would not distract drivers too much, and because the pavement was still wide enough for the base to fit and allow people to go around it, it should be given permission.
That permission lasts for five years at a time, and initially JCDecaux did not do anything with that permission. With time running and just six months left, they have now dug up the pavement and installed the giant ad screen.
Adblock Bristol, which has successfully campaigned against the increasing number of digital advertising screens popping up around Bristol, including most recently stopping the erection of a third giant digital screen next to the M32,
“Lots of people have been in touch about a JC Decaux’s massive and very s*** new billboard at Cabot Circus,” a spokesperson for the group said. “The universally hated new ad screen has express consent for five years since the decision in 2018. So, after December 2023, we can apply to the council for it to be removed - caveat: this is difficult - we'll be in touch then for support to try to get it taken down.
The pavement along the back of Cabot Circus is not particularly busy with pedestrians - people tend to walk on the other side of the road where there are student accommodation blocks and restaurants - but Bristol Cycling said it was a busy route for cyclists trying to avoid both the busy Broadmead and Cabot Circus roads, and the dual carriageway of Temple Way itself. There is no designated or segregated cycle lane in the area.
The lobby group said it was ‘incredibly dangerous’. “Wow this is incredibly dangerous in the middle of a busy pedestrian and cycling space. This is the key route from Castle Park to Stokes Croft/Concorde Way. How was this allowed?”
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