MAY I request that dog owners who do not clear up their pet's deposits make a New Year's resolution to do so in future please?

Glanville Road, Tavistock, running parallel with Bannawell Street, has been particularly bad for the last few months, especially between Wyatts Lane and Courtlands Road, and it seems to be getting worse with fresh dog mess appearing almost daily.

Some desperate person sprayed messages along the pavement in the worst areas, asking that all the excrement be picked up by the dog owner(s), but to no avail. 

As a dog owner myself, I know that this is not the most pleasant of tasks, but it is far less pleasant to either tread in it or to have to dodge the piles, especially in the dark.

If whoever is responsible reads this, I would like to assure them that many local residents will be extremely grateful to them if they would resolve to behave in a considerate manner towards other pavement users in future.

Elisabeth Greeves

Bannawell Street

Tavistock

WHAT a sorry state Tavistock was left in over the Christmas and New Year period, with rubbish and litter piled up, and strewn all around the town.

We were told that FOCSA were unable to empty bins and collect rubbish because of the adverse weather conditions, even though Highways did an excellent job, even gritting many of the side roads and lanes that normally get overlooked.

However, other services seemed perfectly able to cope in these conditions eg, the Tesco home delivery service was out and about in Tavistock throughout these 'adverse conditions' as were the Royal Mail, BT etc etc, the only difference being that Tesco etc only get paid if they fulfil their delivery contract, whereas West Devon Borough Council get paid irrespective of whether they provide an adequate service or not.

We are also told that senior council managers command much inflated salaries because of their vast experience and their ability to handle complex situations etc, so where were the contingency plans we should expect from such well paid, 'high fliers'? The conditions in Tavistock were adverse but not extreme and suitable planning coupled with efficient organisation and extended working hours would have resulted in a completely different outcome altogether.

I await with interest the usual long list of excuses that this letter will no doubt prompt from the council, coupled with the usual promises to do better next time! That is until the next time!

T Paterson

Tavistock