NO-ONE in Hartford could fail to notice the number of new houses being built, and our estate on Mornant Avenue is no exception.

Whilst we appreciate the need for safety and therefore building sites to be fenced off, for several months we have been denied access to the footpath past the showhouse which was completed before Christmas.

This is despite repeated requests to the council who initially claimed that the path needed to be tarmac- ed, (it was, several months ago); claiming that “it was safer for us to walk on the road than the path”.

As someone who was nearly knocked over last week, I can assure them that it isn’t.

My neighbours and I, and some more vocal souls, believe the true reason for the path being blocked off is that it is a mere few yards from the window of the showhouse and therefore anyone using the path might deter potential buyers.

What is more baffling is a sign inside the the cordoned-off area earnestly petitioning us to “please not walk on the grass”.

Since this would require us scaling the fence, we feel the sign is superfluous.

My message to Archway Homes is that it’s the path we wish to walk on, and not the grass.

In fact in our title deeds, residents are forbidden from erecting fences around front gardens and yet not one householder has ever felt the need the erect a sign asking pedestrians to keep off their grass.

Please just let us have access to the public footpath.

Beverley Cadel Hartford