The issue of litter highlighted in your paper is a general problem throughout the streets and roads of Trowbridge which is getting worse by the day. A Wiltshire Council spokesman says they regularly inspect for litter; then they need to provide the inspectors with glasses – and not rose-tinted ones.

The local authority is legally obliged to ensure the cleanliness of public land and roads does not fall below a certain standard. Local authorities should ensure that the cleanliness of public land and roads is kept at a level ‘predominantly free from litter apart from small items’.

Checks should be done within a timeframe; everyday areas should have a response time of one day if standards are not met and the problem has been reported.

In special circumstances where there may be health and safety issues the response time could be up to 28 days.

What is very clear is that Wiltshire Council is not living up to its legal responsibilities and just blames contractor Balfour Beatty.

It’s the council not the contractor who is legally obliged to sort it out.

If they cannot control the contractor then the council is not fit for purpose and it should be treated accordingly by the government Many have forgotten the big increases the senior councillors gave themselves to do less work as the have depleted the workforce they controlled that used to do a good job and now sit back letting contractors they cannot control take the criticism.

Sadly, most people do not care as they feel they cannot do anything about the mess, but when someone gets bitten by the rats that are now evident in several areas – typically like adjacent to the bridge by Tesco, where it goes into the park area where many children play – then something might be done.

Another of the overblown council meetings or more soundbites from their representatives will solve nothing; it’s action that is required.

The answer is to vote the current Wiltshire Council out of office at the next election. Jane Scott and her colleagues have a lot to answer for.

Tony Scott, Campion Drive, Trowbridge.