LET me say from the outset that I am fully in favour of eliminating, or at least reducing, litter on our streets and public places.

I am pleased to see the partnership between the Bolton Evening News and the BMBC on this subject.

However, is the partnership working? I have no doubt that the Bolton Evening News are still serious about it, but are Bolton MBC?

At 9am on Good Friday the litter on Bradshawgate was absolutely appalling. The whole length of the road, pavements and the gutters were strewn with paper bags and polystyrene cartons. The main concentration being outside and close to fast food outlets. (Sad to say that this is the case on each and every Saturday, Sunday, and to a lesser extent, Monday mornings).

I wonder how many fines were imposed by the litter patrols during the previous evening/night?

It is time for action now!

Drinking alcohol in the street is also banned in Bolton town centre. One only has to drive through town on any evening to see that this by-law is also being flouted each evening. I have even seen evening revellers consuming alcohol and dropping litter while walking past stationary and occupied police vehicles and foot patrols, without any apparent censure.

This problem will not go away. It is time for action now!

As a community it is pointless to make any by-law unless we intend to enforce it 24/7.

Furthermore, the "patrols" appear to be confined to the town centre, therefore ignoring the problem in other areas of the BMBC.

These subjects I believe, in addition to correct enforcement, should be the subject of properly concentrated and specifically targeted matters of formal social education, especially among the young. One only has to visit the streets around our schools (and colleges) to realise that it is necessary.

Finally, I pose this question to all - "Is it now time for rhetoric and lip service to end, and purposeful 24/7 action to commence"?

I Millington

Spindle Croft

Weavers Green

Farnworth