SUE Powell's comments (Your Letters, April 27) concerning encroaching advertising boards on Ledbury's pavements deserve a broader response to a rather narrow-minded view.

I understand that all town centre pavement front traders have received two papers: a copy of Herefordshire Council's statement of policy on this issue, which is absolutely specific, and also a Cut the Clutter' letter sent out in the name of Ledbury Town Council and Ledbury and District Civic Society, as well as the CPRE, urging traders to find less dangerous and better looking ways of advertising their goods and services than the present clutter of A-boards on the pavement.

None of the above organisations needs any reminders of the prime importance of the economic health of the town and its retail businesses. But is it not clear the prime attraction to visit and then live in the town and make full use of its shops and services is the town itself.

This is best appreciated by looking up and across its elevations and roof-lines above shop level and not looking down at one's feet in order to avoid collision with pavement-level obstacles, such as advertising boards which, competing with each other and ranging from excellent to downright tatty, take Ledbury down-market rather than up, where the money is. There is nothing quaint' about a broken ankle. These boards are dangerous and an eyesore, blighting a great market town.

This is not just about residents and visitors who have sight difficulties risking an accident. People in wheelchairs or using a stick or frame while browsing the shops, the elderly or frail, youngsters in pushchairs, money-spending strangers to the town - all are at risk of an injury or nasty fall. Who has done a risk assessment for a particular board?

Let the relevant parties get together on a project to harmonize alternative signs above head level which do credit to the town, and create common signs for the historic side-passages which are such an under-publicised feature of the town.

That's getting really real if town pride means anything, and in fact town trade will do better without the boards than with them. Congratulations to those who have initiated such a a long overdue campaign and to the shopkeepers who have already made a start.

DAVID WARD, Colwall.