Sir – It warms the heart that in these austere times and amidst the seemingly endless cuts to local services that I find myself writing to commend the councils of the shire.

Oft do I travel the county’s greens lanes, its byways, highways, streets and roadways.  In so doing, my recent ramblings have brought to my attention an ingenious example of co-operative lateral thinking by our esteemed councils.

Of course, in times past, litter was rarely allowed to accumulate to levels at which it became perceptible; the hard work and efforts of a dedicated team of labour keeping it in check by diligent, regular collecting and disposal. Hence this was how an unpleasant and persistent side effect of our frenzied consumer driven society was kept in check.  Not so in a time of unadorned budgets and economic retrenchment.

Fear not, however, for our noble council leaders have sent forth their resplendent invention; the linear open air rubbish tip.

Indeed, so successful has been this creation that they can be seen adorning the verges, embankments, culverts and ditches of most of the county’s roadways.

Further praise must be extolled on the councils for conceiving a solution that saves on labour, waste transportation costs, recycling and landfill charges.

Furthermore, a good burden of litter will doubtless act as an effective mulch to prevent plant growth and suppress the natural ecosystem thus saving the councils the trouble and expense of grass cutting and the like; a stroke of utter genius.

Come the month of May, the status quo could fall and those councillors responsible for the stewardship of our litter could be slayed by the ballot box.

So to those with a concern for the litter and rubbish adorning the shire and its capital take heed of what I say, for the fate of such lies in your hands. Yet we may see a green and pleasant land. 

M. Sheppard (Mr), Bicester