I DO not have an issue with these A-boards.

But I do have an issue with a county councillor (Sean Woodward), responsible for highways, exercising the Highways Act for A-boards to be removed, based on the complaint of (as I understand it) one person, and without properly engaging with those owning the Aboards, or indeed, engaging collaboratively with the local authority responsible for the town and local businesses – Test Valley Borough Council.

As others have mentioned in the Andover Advertiser, there is a proliferation of street furniture throughout the town centre (did someone mention “balls”?), all of which potentially present a hazard to the blind or partially sighted – but even with these obstructions the blind/partially sighted find their way around, and I am not aware of one blind/partially sighted person having had an accident with this furniture, never mind the Aboards.

I am very disappointed and wholly disagree with Cllr Ian Carr’s view, as mentioned in your article “Angry traders take to streets”, that the licensing for these A-boards should remain the responsibility of HCC. This is just a get-out from taking responsibility for what is a local issue, therefore should be led (I use that word with some scepticism) by TVBC – which really has little else to do anyway, except issue parking tickets and empty our waste bins (OK, and a bit more, but you get the gist of what I’m saying).

To my mind, TVBC has been woefully inadequate in dealing with this issue, which has been going on for several months. I feel that the county council and borough council should review and redefine areas of responsibility within our town centre.

If the A-boards have to be removed, then the street furniture needs to be re-aligned for the same reasons. Let’s see Cllr Woodward issue instructions for their removal, and the response by TVBC.

Finally, I want to see more local councillors – both borough and town – getting involved, and be seen to be involved, in these and other local issues, and not be outdone by UKIP county councillors.

It always seems to be the same handful of local councillors, one from each of the three persuasions, who are “seen to be involved”. Now wake up local councillors.

Patrick Pontet- Piccolomini, via e-mail

Editor’s note: The Advertiser has asked the county council how many complaints have been lodged regarding A-boards, but we are yet to receive a response.