in just over a week last July. In total 126 businesses were contacted during that short period and only one declined to sign the petition - a success rate of over 99%. A very clear majority of those asked to sign the petition.

"The cost of the black granite (directional) paths was £33,112. The cost of fitting them, over and above the base cost of repaving High Town, was approximately £5,382, we have had some problems with letters coming unstuck from these paths, but the supplier is required to put this right.

"The lamp columns cost £48,395. Installation of these was included within the contracted cost of work and was approximately £38,000, although some buildings in High Town are listed and it is in a conservation area, there are no planning consents needed for the sort of refurbishment we have done."

That is a total of nearly £125,000, or the annual council tax from perhaps 100 houses.

Hands up who thinks (a) this was money well spent and (b) the works represent any improvement against -say- planting trees?

KIP WAISTELL, Quay Street, Hereford.