Clusters of advertising boards have become a familiar sight to tourists and locals outside shops and cafes in the Capital's Old Town.

But now community councillors are calling for a "zero tolerance" policy on the boards, which they say are littering pavements. They blame the council for failing to enforce existing rules – which state that advertising boards should not cause an obstruction – and say the only practical solution is a ban.

But traders have reacted furiously, saying small businesses cannot afford to be hit by more regulations.

The Old Town Community Council voted unanimously to call for the crackdown at a meeting last week. They are writing to the city council, demanding action to preserve the appearance of the city centre.

Chairman Bill Cowen, who also runs Costume HaHa in the Grassmarket, said: "Going down the High Street is like running a hurdles race. People have to walk on the road because there are too many on the pavement.

"We think they should be totally banned. The policing of them has been a complete failure. Business people will do anything to get around the regulations. This is the season when tourists start falling over them. There's a serious public safety aspect. When it's windy, one could easily fall on a child."

Edinburgh City Council wardens only ask shopkeepers to move their boards if they think they are causing an obstruction.

A licensing scheme was proposed last year, following a string of complaints, but this was never brought in. Bruce Borthwick, an Old Town community councillor, said this would be difficult to enforce.

He said: "It's become a sort of arms race between shops. Now it's got to the stage where it's a considerable obstruction to the free movement of pedestrians."

The Old Town Association's Honorary president, Anya Ansel, said the association was writing to the council. She said: "We feel very strongly about A-boards. The whole of the pavement is cluttered with them. It is a World Heritage Site, but the boards are very unsightly, as well as dangerous. They're a nuisance and they're using up public space.

"We've been fighting this battle for years. Occasionally the council makes a small gesture but they have never enforced it. We feel there shouldn't be any at all. The only place for them would be if a business is down a close, such as the Brass Rubbing Centre."

But Thom McCarthy, manager of Golden Books and Gifts on the Royal Mile, said a ban would be another blow for small businesses.

He said: "The A-board is important for our business, although there is a lot of rubbish outside people's shops. One shop has four mannequins, and there are baskets selling tartan Nessies. If they're going to control it, then they would have to have the same rules for everybody.

"An A-board makes a big difference to a person's business. It's a form of advertising. If they ban them, it's going to hit the turnover of small shops. People are already struggling as it is."

A council spokeswoman said: "The use of A-boards is one way businesses can promote themselves. However, these signs must not cause any obstruction or risks to public safety.

"If we become aware of a sign that is creating a hazard we will work with the business responsible to resolve the issue.

"If the issue cannot be resolved then enforcement action will be taken and the sign will be removed."