CONTROVERSIAL plans for a scrolling LCD advertising panel at Merrywalks bus station have been withdrawn with new proposals set to be submitted.

A row erupted after proposals were submitted to replace a bus shelter at Merrywalks with a new structure which included a double digital advertising display panel portraying adverts which would change every 10 seconds.

The plans for the panel - which would have been 1.636 metres in height, 0.924 metres in width and 0.222 metres in depth - were lodged with Stroud District Council towards the end of August.

The display board - intended for Bay A - would have included a steel frame, powder coated steel cladding, LCD display panel behind toughened, laminated safety glass.

But at their meeting on Thursday, members of Stroud Town Council’s regeneration working group said they were ‘pleased’ to hear from Gloucestershire County Council officers that the application for the screen was being withdrawn and would be replaced with a new proposal for rolling paper adverts.

Stroud Town Council’s consultations and highways committee said it expects to be consulted on the new proposals in due course.

The U-turn on the display panel follows criticisms from passengers and commuters who raised concerns over traffic safety saying it could distract drivers and would waste energy.

Objectors also claimed that the screen would ‘hurt local businesses’ and spoil conversations at the bus stop.

Stroud Town Council raised objections due to concerns over visual impact and road safety.

Writing before the plans were due to be withdrawn, a spokesperson said: “We object to the proposed installation on the grounds of visual amenity and highway safety.

“The SDC local plan prioritises the area in terms of visual amenity.

“The committee notes that digital screens are inconsistent with the existing local plan and their illuminated nature is damaging to the place-making initiatives for the area.

“The proposed location for the illuminated boards is in a highly complex driving location where traffic conditions are likely to change rapidly and the boards add to the risk of driver distraction.”