THERE were definitely positive and negative emotions about rubbish dumping around the Bolton area this last week.

On the positive side, the Horwich First Community Litter Pickers led the way in local responsibility by clearing 80 litter bags from the area around the Railway Terraces which became a dumping ground. They did a terrific job.

The negative element came with a bill for more than £2,000 which Bolton’s taxpayers had to pay to clear a football pitch off Fern Street, Farnworth, after travellers set up camp there.

Local councillor Jean Gillies is right when she says there should be changes in the law to make responses faster and that perhaps now is the time to look at what other local authorities are employing to tackle the problem.

Something definitely has to happen. While there will always be selfish individuals dumping their rubbish unthinkingly, better laws on travellers are a must.