YOU would think that someone with so much time on his hands to write poetry to the Evening News -- your correspondent Mr George Whitlow -- would have spent time checking his facts before putting pen to paper regarding street cleaning.

In spite of severe pressures on our budget, I rejected any reduction in our spending on Street Cleaning.

There has not been any reduction in the number of litter sweepers cleaning our streets.

There is, however, a steady trend in the increase of litter being dropped on the streets of Bolton.

For that reason we are about to recruit additional staff to educate and, if necessary, enforce litter prevention (dropping litter is an offence and offenders can by fined).

As far as St Peter's Way is concerned, for health and safety reasons the road has to be shut down to allow our operatives to carry maintenance activities, including litter picking in safety.

To avoid undue inconvenience, we therefore do this on a six-weekly cycle in the summer.

The road is due to be cleaned this weekend.

Cllr Donald Grime

Executive Member

for Direct Services