YOUR recent front page story depicting the appalling mountains of rubbish which had built up round the county expressed disappointment at the lack of initiative being shown by councils in coping with the adverse weather conditions.

It went on to state that councils were cancelling services on health and safety grounds because it was “too dangerous to make binmen carry bags on slippery pavements”.

May I ask, then, what happens in Russia, Scandinavia, northern Canada and so many places in the world where the conditions we have experienced of late are far worse and continue for several months each winter?

Do they have no refuse collection in those places?

We pay, and pay heavily, for this service and it is ridiculous that our councils do not work out ways of maintaining it in all conditions.

Indeed the lack of initiative is not just disappointing, it is a disgrace. Should all those affected not withhold a proportion of their council tax?

JOHN BARLOW, Wantage