Town litter

SIR, - Like Beryl Cook (Herts Advertiser, March 5) I too read of the excitement Cllr Pat Kent, Harpenden Town Mayor, felt regarding a green flag for Harpenden Common. The Common is indeed a very special part of Harpenden and we are very fortunate to enjoy the benefit of well-kept open spaces in the town.

However there are so many other dirty, litter-strewn areas that spoil the image of Harpenden. I can't wait for Spring to really arrive, the hedgerows, grass verges and trees to grow, not only because it is such a lovely time of year but because nature will hide from sight all the ugly detritus that lurks wherever you look, tossed without a thought by so many who live in Harpenden. How many disgusting plastic bags can be counted hanging on trees and clinging to hedges?

There are bins in many locations and there is a very hardworking man who regularly cleans the roads and grass areas in the town centre. We have to be grateful that some of the rubbish is removed but there is just so much of it everywhere that it is an impossible task for one man. Surely St Albans District Council could supply a better service, even a periodic blitz would make a difference. Our council taxes are high but it seems we have to accept a low-grade service.

I have tried phoning the council on more than one occasion to ask for a litter pick in roads that are particularly bad around some of the town's most prestigious schools. The result is that "a person from the council" will drive out from St Albans and if, when looking out through his car window, he thinks it is bad enough, something may be done.

What a waste of manpower and council tax payers' money. Why can funds not be used to instigate more regular cleaning? Something, anything, would be better than the deteriorating state of Harpenden. I could go on.

MRS C. WESTWELL,

Fallows Green, Harpenden.