Lack of help

SIR, — On a quiet Saturday at Harpenden s Dark Lane rubbish dump, I pulled up at the bottom of steps and spoke to a council worker with a hard hat. I said: Good morning, can you help me? He replied: Oh no, I cannot leave my station. Somewhat stunned a

SIR, - On a quiet Saturday at Harpenden's Dark Lane rubbish dump, I pulled up at the bottom of steps and spoke to a council worker with a hard hat. I said: "Good morning, can you help me?" He replied: "Oh no, I cannot leave my station." Somewhat stunned and as a lady in my late eighties, I stood listening to this council worker directing people where to put their refuse.

Happily for me the young man in the next car kindly offered to take it for me.

We have to sort all our household rubbish into the right wheelie bins and place them at the bottom of the driveway, and then any extra we take to the tip - to again do all the sorting and be instructed which container to put it in. I found this extraordinary and wondered why the council worker wore a hard hat.

Surely some help could be provided as the steps are steep and carrying loads up is difficult - and considering the high council tax we pay, quite unacceptable as it seems we do all the work.

My grateful thanks to the young man who helped me.

M.E. SMITH,

Claygate Avenue, Harpenden.