Belfast·SPG008 Advertising and Signage·Page 8·2.4.1
Advertisement Control under Roads Legislation - Public Roads
It is an offence under the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 to display advertisements on public roads, footways, verges, or structures within public roads. Additional restrictions apply to advertisements visible from special roads (motorways and Westlink) that could prejudice traffic safety.
In addition to planning legislation, there are separate provisions within roads legislation for the control of advertisements. Article 87 of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 makes it an offence to display any advertisement on a public road, footway or verge or on any tree or structure in or on a public road. Article 21 of the same Order makes it an offence to erect or exhibit any advertisement or notice sited or designed primarily to be visible from a special road or which is likely to prejudice the safety of traffic using a special road. A special road is one designated under Article 15 of the Roads Order and at present these comprise the motorway network and Westlink.
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