Takes issue

I must take issue with James Henry. No doubt the withdrawal of lengthsmen is part of the problem.

However, that is not the root of the problem for, if litter was not dropped in the first place, whether or not there were patrolling lengthsmen becomes academic. There seems to be a widespread attitude of 'Don't want it, drop it', 'walk away and what I don't see I won't worry about' and 'someone will pick it up'.

And total disregard of the consequences—and this is especially so in regard to fly-tipping. Then there are those (I fear a minority) who dispose of litter and other waste responsibly.

Bill Ridgeway