SIR,

I am writing reference the use of Monmouth's pavements.

I applaud and appreciate both Angela Hoyle's and Philip Munday's letters on this subject last week, the one explaining the problems for the partially sighted, and the other defending his need to display his fruit and vegetables - and also his wish retain a little bit of Monmouth's old-world charm. What I do not applaud is the making of yet another one-rule-fits-all which then must be enforced. Whatever has become of reason and discretion? And whatever has become of the people in authority with the courage to use them?

Must we always be leaping on the Health and Safety bandwagon to make yet another rule - to stifle our innate ability to think and act for ourselves. Several decades ago the Welfare State was described as a place 'where everything which is not prohibited is compulsory'.

We are approaching that state, and every day we hear of more petty, pathetic and unnecessary rules and regulations which reach into every corner of our lives.

Peter Powis

(Trellech)