Advertising vans or trailers parked up alongside roads or in fields should be banned, according to a councillor.

Councillor Geoff Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said the trailers, often placed by main roads or at busy junctions to grab the attention of passing traffic, were a dangerous distraction to motorists and could cause accidents.

He said there had been a string of complaints about the trailers and is urging Bradford Council to take action.

Coun Reid said: “It may be that there is nothing anyone can do about these vehicles, which are effectively temporary advertising hoardings deliberately placed to catch the attention of passing drivers. If that is the case then it is worth being clear about it.

“Meanwhile I find it deeply ironic that these adverts are often for companies offering to settle accident compensation claims. If their advertising contributes towards an accident, I can’t see them helping with a claim against themselves.”

One ward in neighbouring Kirklees took action against advertising vans and trailers in September.

Kirklees councillor Liz Smaje (Con, Birstall and Birkenshaw) had become increasingly concerned about three bridges across the M62 motorway in her ward where vans and trailers were being placed in order to attract attention from the motorway traffic passing underneath.

She successfully campaigned for Kirklees Council to paint double yellow lines along the bridges, meaning anyone parking there would be stung with £70 fines.

Four months on, Coun Smaje said: “It’s a lot better. I’m hopeful that the new double yellow lines will continue to prevent advertising vehicles on the bridges.”

But Coun Reid said he wasn’t sure double yellows would be the right move in the Bradford district.

He said: “Double yellow lines would not be the best solution as they would be an inconvenience to innocent drivers.”

He said he would like to see measures specifically targeting vehicles with advertising trailers.

Coun Reid has raised the matter with Councillor Val Slater (Lab), executive member for transport. She said she agreed with the concerns, but didn’t know if there was an easy solution.

She said: “I do think it’s a problem, it can be distracting. I would encourage people to continue to report it.

“However, I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all solution as they can be parked on roads or in fields.”