HERE’S one to divide opinion. City of York Council is considering a complete ban on advertising A-boards from the city centre. A review into the use of the signage has concluded they could be removed from main streets, with a strict approach adopted on their use in side streets.

There will be cheers from some, jeers from others, notably traders who don’t have the cash to advertise on billboards and rely on these boards as a way of attracting custom.

The row stretches back to 2008, when the authority threatened to issue a £2,500 fine if they weren’t removed. Although that was never implemented, York’s Blind and Partially Sighted Society added its weight in 2013, by saying many of the city’s streets had become almost impossible to navigate for the visually impaired. We think that view should be taken seriously.

But A-boards do have their place and imposing a blanket ban would certainly be the wrong thing to do. Having said that, we believe some restrictions will be appropriate, even necessary and particularly in narrow streets.

As with most things, we would say a common sense approach is what’s really required.