More than three months after announcing its intention to remove illegal roadside billboards across the island, the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI will start doing so this week (see related story) in Simpson Bay and Maho. As pointed out in this column back then, it’s high time.
That tourist area in particular has seen a mushrooming of eye-catching signs promoting establishments, products and services, some of which seem quite distracting for motorists. The term “Wild West” has even been used by some.
Authorities reportedly identified “numerous” examples placed without the necessary approval. They may also be considered a traffic hazard and mar the nature landscape.
It’s not clear whether government waited until carnival was over, because temporary signs for concerts and other related activities were erected all over. Be that as it may, advice from both VROMI and the St. Maarten Police Force KPSM is understandably required before the Justice Ministry grants a permit.
Intention is to charge those responsible for the removal work, but collecting that money might in practice prove difficult at best. The signs should at least be seized until owners pay the cost for crew and equipment.
There is also a difference between functional on-site directional signs indicating a place of business and billboards far from its location purely for advertising purposes. Too many of the latter tend to create a disorderly, messy impression rather than one of a desirable vacation paradise.
It’s not fair either for those in compliance to face competition from others who don’t bother to follow the rules. One law for all.
