'Alarming' rise in unauthorised roadside advertising

Brussels authorities are planning tougher action after seeing an "alarming" increase in unauthorised roadside advertising.

More than 350 warnings have been issued so far this year, compared with 250 for the whole of 2014. Communes with large industrial zones such as Molenbeek, Schaerbeek and Anderlecht are among those worst-affected.

Brussels region mobility minister Pascal Smet told RTBF: "The posters are generally taken down within 24 hours. But we often find that a new one is put up again in the same place later that day. A lot of the time it is very difficult to identify who is responsible because the publisher's details do not appear on the poster."

Many of the ads are for discount stores selling mattresses, rugs and household goods - but Smet said there was also a growing number of unauthorised roadside posters for events such as circuses and concerts.

The Brussels region is looking at passing a new law that would give the power to impose fines on illegal advertisers - something that is not currently possible. Bruxelles Mobilité says it is also working on an information campaign to raise awareness and discourage businesses from the practice.

Photo: Ingimage