More than a dozen tractor trailers are catching the eyes of drivers heading into Barrie on northbound on Highway 400, but city councillors are not impressed.
After fielding several complaints from residents saying the signs are distracting and an "eye sore", councillors voted on Monday at general committee to send a letter to Ontario's Transportation Ministry, demanding that the trailer advertising littering the Highway 400 corridor be removed.
"I have noticed them and I think they're pretty ugly, actually," said Dave Proctor, as he waiting in line at a nearby drive-thru on Monday afternoon. "They shouldn't be there. I would think the distraction factor is enough of a problem."
Although the trucks are parked on private property, the rules are enforced by the MTO, because they face Highway 400.
According to a ministry spokesperson, signs within 400 metres of any provincial highway require permits, adding that the Innisfil property owner has been contacted, along with other property owners that do not comply with the policy across the province.
They are large, colourful billboards advertising a variety of businesses.
Council is expected to finalize the committee recommendation next Monday, asking the Ministry of Transportation to have the large, colourful trailers removed because they are distracting and unattractive.
According to a ministry spokesperson, signs within 400 metres of any provincial highway require permits, adding that the Innisfil property owner has been contacted, along with other property owners that do not comply with the policy across the province.
Under the ministry's current policy, third party billboards are not permitted along 400-series highways - advertising must be for goods or services sold on-site.
