Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Don't shed a tear for the billboards of Times Square

 

James Moore
Friday 08 May 2015 02:42 BST
Comments

Outlook We Brits often seem to think the US is the land of the free-wheeling entrepreneur. That it lacks the sort of stifling bureaucracy that this country specialises in.

Well, think again. It seems New York’s famous Times Square could lose its supposedly iconic billboards. Apparently their size infringes a 2012 federal ruling. Times Square isn’t really a square. It’s a crossroads, one that was added to the National Highway System three years ago. With $90m of funding at stake, various bits of government are spitting at each other.

New York is understandably worried about ad revenues, but the supposed impact on tourism? Visitors with any sense can find a multitude of more rewarding attractions in the city that never sleeps. Times Square, even with its billboards, is rather like Piccadilly Circus: over-rated.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in