SIR: Last week the Council were cutting the grass verges on Deepdale Road using a machine which picked up the cuttings, leaving the area neat and tidy. I thought what an improvement on previous years.

They arrived in my street and Dovedale Road this morning and have attempted to mow the grass, leaving the cuttings all over the road and footpaths. What a disgrace.

We all pay our Council Taxes and we are entitled to a decent job performed clean and tidily.

I see that we now live in 'Bolton - a better place to be'. You could have fooled me!

Mr E W Holden

Eskdale Avenue, Breightmet, Bolton

A Council spokesman said: "The council is always trying to improve its services to the public and is currently, through its grounds maintenance contractor, Commercial Services, trialing a number of new machines and working methods. One area of investigation is in the use of machinery to collect arisings from grassed areas on housing sites. Initially, due to budget constraints this will be concentrated around sheltered housing facilities where a special need has been identified.

"Nothwithstanding this, the quality of service delivery expected from the contractor should not result in grass cuttings being left all over roads and foothpaths and this problem has been brought to their attention."

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