Fly Posting

Background information

Fly posters are simply advertisements that are displayed on highway land contrary to the Highways Act 1980, and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, or on private land contrary to the 1990 Act.

Fly posters come in various forms, including posters, placards, metal directional signs, A-boards and banners. They can advertise a range of businesses, events and services, such as nightclubs, car boot sales, tradesmen, shops and housing developments.

Fly posting is inherently dangerous. They are often affixed or erected on the highway, or adjacent to it, with the intention of distracting motorists. They can also obscure traffic signs and traffic signals, and have an obvious negative effect on the environment, and can become litter if allowed to remain there. People fly post because it is an inexpensive way to advertise, and can saturate an area with adverts within hours. It shows their complete disregard for public safety, and our environment, and is often the preferred method of advertising for risque events such as raves. Those responsible often exploit young naïve people to affix or erect the fly posters, and tracing the benefactor is often very difficult. Research has shown that criminal gangs are also involved in fly posting for certain events.

Removal of Fly Posting on Highway Land

The Highways Act 1980 provides for the Council to remove fly posters from highway land immediately, without the need to give any notice. Highway land includes, for example, lamp columns, trees, traffic signs, traffic signals, railings and bollards. We have a dedicated team that undertakes regular patrols along the boroughs main arterial routes, such as Stratford Road and Warwick Road, where fly posting is most prevalent. The team will also respond reactively to reports of fly posting on highway land elsewhere in Solihull. All fly posters will be removed within five working days from being reported, and if they are offensive or pose a danger to the public, they will be removed within two hours.

To inform the Council of some fly posters on highway land, and to request their removal, telephone Solihull Council's Contact Centre on 0121 704 8000 or use the Fly Posting Report Form linked at bottom of page.

Removal of Fly Posting on Private Land

Solihull council does not provide a service that extends to removing fly posters from private land. However, the Council does have the power to require the person that affixed or erected them, or the person gaining benefit from them, to remove them within 48 hours. The owner or occupier of private land that has fly posters displayed on them can also be required to remove them, but given twenty eight days to do so.

For advice, or to inform the Council of some fly posters on private land, telephone Solihull Council's Contact Centre on 0121 704 8000 or use the Fly Posting Report Form

See recent convictions for Fly Posting