I RECENTLY made a telephone call to Environmental Health Services requesting that urgent attention be given to the methods used by a water-pressure operator, who, after washing out two household bins, proceeded to empty the residue into the gutter and road.

One would have thought that the obvious dangers to this deadly cocktail of living bacteria would receive immediate action that day. Not so! After various calls involving another department, the results were:

1. A special facility is available whereby the residue is disposed of safely.

2. No checks or monitoring are made.

3. Anyone can set up this service.

Clearly this is unacceptable, seriously flawed, and open to all kinds of abuse. Which begs the question -- who has given approval to such an unnecessary service, particularly in light of the dedication of Prof L Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer, and the town's Dr R Ashton and his colleagues, whose hard work and commitment are striving to improve and protect the health of children?

One week after my first call, I received by post from Environmental Health Services a "How to Complain" leaflet, to complete and return so I can be rewarded by a "formal response" -- whatever that means? Am I to assume then that no action will be taken until I do? I hope not, this is not the time for formalities.

So I will not be stopping on the roundabout of red tape and bureaucracy by signing such a form. Instead, I invite the Department, through the kind auspices of the Bolton Evening News, to assure all parents this serious health hazard is being given top priority.

This is not a complaint to Environmental Health Services, this is a "wake-up" call!

Gard-y-Loo

(Name and address supplied)