Rogue advertising signs beside Highland roads are to be targeted in a council purge amid fears they could cause accidents.
But the local authority said it would continue to allow businesses to pay it to erect hoardings on the centre of roundabouts in Inverness.
The council claimed the unauthorised signs could distract drivers and cause crashes and want all illicit posters and billboards taken down.
Otherwise, the local authority will order its own staff to remove them.
Adverts installed on trailers in fields and small makeshift signs used to advertise events such as Highland games will also be outlawed. The roundabout adverts are part of a sponsorship scheme started in 2009 as a means of raising money for the local authority.
This year, it expects them to generate £35,000.
A Highland Council spokesman said the proceeds would help prevent budget cuts in other areas.
Roundabouts along Sir Walter Scott Drive are among those sponsored by prominent city firms.
But one Inverness businessman who uses a trailer in one of his fields to advertise new homes said last night that the council’s move was “two-faced”.
Brian MacGregor, of Bogbain Farm, said: “I think it is wrong of them to make it a road safety issue when they are busy flogging advertising space on roundabouts around town.”
Last night the council rejected any suggestion its actions were hypocritical.
A spokesman said: “Our roundabout signs are properly made and positioned in ways to minimise distraction to drivers.
“What happens is that people are sticking up signs in an opportunistic way.
“These are makeshift signs and they can be an eyesore.”
He added: “The planning and development service has decided it is time to take enforcement action and send a message that they need planning permission.”
Signs in the Beauly, Muir of Ord, Dingwall, Tore and North Kessock areas will be targeted soon.
Action will follow in other parts of the Highlands throughout next year.
Where owners are identified, they will be given two days to remove the signs. If they are not taken down, council enforcers will destroy them.
Repeat offenders will be reported to the procurator fiscal and could face fines.
Planning chairman Councillor Thomas Prag said: “I can appreciate the enterprise shown by small businesses trying to promote themselves as best they can, but some locations have become magnets for this kind of roadside clutter.
“The bottom line is that these unauthorised advertisements not only detract from the amenity of the area, but perhaps more importantly pose a serious hazard to road users and pedestrians.
“When located on busy roads, particularly those close to junctions, they can cause drivers to slow and divert attention from their driving, which can lead to serious road traffic incidents.”
Paul Watters, head of roads policy for motoring organisation the AA, said: “Distraction is often an issue in accidents.
“We have to draw the line somewhere, otherwise it would be a free-for- all.”
Comment, Page 28