THIS is the time of the year with all the leaves on the ground when a welcome sight would be to see a road sweeper with his barrow, broom and shovel, picking up the leaves as they used to in the good old days and the job was done properly. Sadly not like today when some areas are not swept as they should be.

Leaves left on the ground can be very dangerous when wet, for anyone, especially the elderly.

These modern vehicles that sweep the main roads can only do parts because of all the vehicles parked. When they can sweep the gutters, this does not stop the leaves and other litter blowing from the path back on to the road. The other vehicles that sweep the paths can only do so much because of obstacles in their way, such as wheelie bins, which in some cases are left out all the time.

Bring back the road sweeper as we used to know it, they can get into all the places and not just do parts. It’s no good having someone walking the streets with a cherry picker this time of the year especially and walking over all the leaves on the paths only to pick up the odd piece of paper or tin can.

One problem brings another and when the leaves get washed down the drain, they then get blocked and they don’t get serviced as they used to. It’s all false economy and not saving money in the long-term.

There is a lot to be said for some of the things that were carried out years past, simple but more economical. Bring back the man with the broom. I’m sure he would be welcome in many areas of Oxford.

COLIN SMITH George Moore Close Donnington Oxford