I FEEL compelled to write to complain at the increasing levels of disgusting litter that is now becoming an embarrassing eyesore along our once beautiful lanes and roadside verges.

I speak with particular reference to the lanes connecting Mole Avon Country Store on Exeter Road, Okehampton, to the Credition Road and beyond. I have mentioned this on two occasions to the personnel in the West Devon Council offices in Okehampton and seemingly no action has been taken.

I accept that littering along with fly tipping is not the council's fault, however, regrettable we now seem to live in an age when people have no respect or pride in the environment nor understanding of the consequences of their actions on the rest of the community. We now have a percentage of people that are ignorant slobs.

From time to time I have seen council employees attempting to clear the vast amount of litter from the verges of the A30. But why does the County Council not at least put letter bins in all the numerous lay-bys with signs urging people to take their litter home?

I appreciated that there are cost complications and it is rather like painting the Forth Bridge, however, surely we must make some sort of effort to protect our local county environment that presumably the majority of us take pride in?

Chris Bloor

Chichacott

Okehampton

I WRITE with regard to the recent article, 'Raise profile and draw in tourists'.  It is very worrying that some of the councillors have just realised that Okehampton is not drawing in tourists and the footfall is down – I think they and previous councillors can thank themselves for the mess Okehampton is in.

Over the years the council has allowed virtually all the old shop fronts to be replaced with tacky modern ones — the main street is basically an eyesore except for a couple of shops, every green area has been built on and the town generally looks very tired and down at heel. Fore Street does not invite you to stop — take a look at Totnes to see what old shop frontages do for a town.

All the housing developments that we are consistently told we need are destroying, not enhancing, what was once a pleasant market town, yet West Devon Borough Council and some of our councillors keep telling us we need more and continue to support another 900 – they clearly want total destruction.

Unfortunately, I fear the town has already been destroyed and a miracle will be required to get the shoppers/tourists back — who wants to visit a vastly over-developed, now ugly, so called market town with traffic problems? I think most people avoid towns with that reputation.

With regard to the £22,000 to be spent on the 'proposed gateway garden', I am in complete support of Cllr Hicks' letter — just another example of a ridiculous idea and waste of money. One small area is not going to regenerate Okehampton it will merely serve as a 'large litter bin'.

I am not a newcomer to the area I have lived in or around Okehampton for many years and I don't like what I see – it's quite clear people do not want to stay, new houses are always up for sale, often within months of being purchased, so what does that tell the council?

Name and address supplied

THERE comes a time when more members of the general public come forward and speak up, especially when it concerns a very well respected member of our town, this being Cllr Edna Hicks who works so tirelessly for the people of Okehampton.

I'm sure there are many people who will stand up and say that this lady's telephone line is open to them 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Cllr Hicks always goes out of her way for the people of Okehampton, and expects nothing for what she does to help people, except a simple thank you. This town would be lost without her. She is a credit to Okehampton, and to many a true honest loyal friend, and how lucky we are to have her.

Alan Brown

Mill Road

Okehampton