The Tribune

COLUMNIST Diane Phillips was right to raise the issue of the forest of signs at Montagu blocking the view of the ocean.

Take a drive along, instead of seeing the sea, you will see a sea of advertisements. This company, that company.

She is not the only one to be frustrated by the visual clutter blocking us off from the beauty of the ocean view.

Someone put up a sign saying: “Don’t like the sign? Don’t buy the product!”

Ironically, that is one sign that seems to have been swiftly removed.

Then there is another sign up for the Durward Knowles sailing event – that was held in February and yet still a sign is up. When the sailing was ongoing, it would have helped block the view of the racing itself.

A petition has also been started asking for the out of control signage to be taken in hand.

In all things, there should be a balance, and the balance certainly seems out of whack right now.

Some measure of resolution would be welcome – but let us also consider that weeks-old advertisement for a sailing event. Around the country, you will find signs that are past their date.                       

There are signs for church fairs and nightclub events, there are signs for all manner of occasions long past – and while the organisers were quick enough to put up the signs in the first place, they drag their heels to remove them afterwards.                       

Some of those signs are for political parties from as long ago as the last election. There are still occasional signs up for candidates whose electoral hopes are long gone but whose smiling faces keep adorning street posts, trees, and wherever they forgot they left them.

Yesterday, driving along Eastern Road, there could be seen a plethora of small advertisements for what seems to be a new company, all stuck into trees along the route. That does not do the trees any good, so if the company is trying to win favour, it might well alienate as many as it wins over.

We do hope the matter at Montagu might find a solution – but after it does, perhaps some thought might be given to the bigger picture too.

Montagu’s view is a particular gem to treasure, but we should not leave the rest of our streets cluttered too.

One thing to consider – many of the companies advertising at Montagu are good members of our community. Perhaps some of those will choose to withdraw or relocate the signs on their own.

So read Diane’s column today, and consider what we can collectively decide to do to improve our environment.

After all, small steps can lead to big changes.