RAY Appleton's letter (November 18) about the recycling service struck a loud chord with us. After 12 years of an excellent refuse and recycling service we were dismayed when the recycled box was recently untouched on several occasions.
Each week a call to West Devon Borough Council produced an apology and a promise that it would be picked up within 24 hours, but this never happened. On the last occasion we sent a formal complaint by email, but the immediate response from West Devon Borough Council was exactly the same as Mr Appleton's — perhaps items weren't properly washed, or included yoghurt pots! We replied that we have always followed the recycling guidelines and had seen the collector drive past without making any attempt to approach the property, but more than a fortnight later we are still waiting for a reply to our complaint. It seems something is very amiss at Kilworthy.
Don Brown
Golf Links Road
Yelverton
I below some information on the way that Cheltenham are going with waste collection, particularly with reference to charging for collection of garden waste: 'From February 2011, the kerbside garden waste service will be replaced with a wheeled bin service. The new opt-in service will be available to all Cheltenham residents for just £3 per month, payable annually in advance. Residents will be given a 240-litre brown, wheeled bin for their garden waste which will be collected fortnightly. Collections of the current garden waste bags will stop, and unwanted bags can be returned to be re-used or for recycling.'
May I express hope that West Devon Borough Council does not try this route to income enhancement?
Brian Salt
Cruets
The Village
Buckland Monachorum