THE debate on A-boards took a major step forward last week with Alton Town Council agreeing to convene a meeting to discuss the setting up of a voluntary code of practice.

The decision to go ahead with a move to regulate use of what has become an increasingly popular means of advertising, follows concerns over what some view as a potentially hazardous proliferation of boards on the town's pavements.

Uncertain as to what form the regulation should take, councillors at last week's meeting of ATC's planning and transportation committee were convinced however of one thing - they would be opposed to the "Big Brother" attitude adopted by Hampshire County Council.

While acknowledging the need to stop the "willy-nilly" proliferation of boards, some of which are "scruffy, badly spelled and in the wrong place", Dave Crocker's view was: "We need some code of practice but it has to be with the co-operation of the businesses involved."

John Smith agreed. In pointing out that the town council has no power to enforce a fee paying regulatory system, he added: "It's better to get people to come round the table and discuss the drawing up a voluntary code of practice - it is the sensible way to do it."

The decision to call a meeting of interested parties, including concerned members of the public, followed the receipt of a letter from the Alton Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACOCI) president, Mike Baker, setting out the chamber's response to the A-board debate.

In it Mr Baker pointed out that the use of A-boards for "High Street" advertising was widespread and had become a national trend.

By adding "colour and variety" the boards helped to generate town centre vibrancy which, Mr Baker suggested, was "desperately needed in market towns such as Alton". And they were especially important for secondary and tertiary shopping areas.

However, it was recognised by ACOCI that A-boards could be a problem and may on occasion be of poor quality, obtrusive or hinder the free flow of pedestrian traffic on the highway.

While chamber members had been concerned over the recent receipt by local business people of a letter from HCC warning that all A-boards had to be removed from Alton's pavements or risk impoundment, it had been confirmed by HCC that this was not a county-wide initiative but had come about as a direct result of a complaint made by Alton Town Council, passing on concerns expressed by members of the public.

As a result, ACOCI had carried out a series of interviews with local traders, aimed at seeking views regarding A-boards and attitudes towards a fee controlled regulatory system (as operated by Warwickshire County Council) and a voluntary code of practice.

This, said Mr Baker, had produced three common views. Firstly a completely resistive attitude to any form of regulation or payment, nonetheless coupled with an agreement that A-boards should be of an appropriate size and quality; secondly a willingness, especially among those in the tertiary shopping areas of Normandy Street and Market Street, to go along with a reasonable fee paying regulatory system; and thirdly a belief by some that they had ownership of land around their premises and would use such areas to continue displaying A-boards. They too, however, would consider a sensible code of practice which would maintain the quality of displays.

Those interviewed who were part of larger chains indicated that they had no experience of fee-paying regulatory systems elsewhere and would be surprised if Alton was to adopt such a policy in isolation to other towns in the area.

But, said Mr Baker, the interviews had also revealed an open-minded attitude towards the issue.

As a result ACOCI's view was that the introduction of a formal fee-paying regulatory system would be "fractious, divisive and costly to administer." Further, it could not be applied equably as some outlets would be able to access private land to flout the system. It would also put Alton at a disadvantage compared with its competitors.

It was also felt that to try and persuade HCC to adopt a pro-active policy similar to Warwickshire would take a protracted campaign which would not achieve the required results.

However, the introduction of a voluntary code of practice to establish quality, size, number, positioning and hours of use would, it was suggested, provide a more acceptable approach.

And, as instigators of the debate, it was felt that Alton Town Council should lead such an initiative.

This the town council has decided to do by first drawing up a draft code of practice for the use of A-boards which can be used as a starting point for future debate during a meeting of interested parties.