REGARDING the very valid comments about the untidiness of Southampton and its litter problem, one can not help but have sympathy with the small team of street refuge men who do their very best to keep Southampton tidy.

However, who’s to blame? You only have to see in the prescient people passing litter bins but choose to just drop litter onto the floor, on some occasions right in front of the council employee who has just picked up.

I do not know how much Southampton City Council has collected from fixed penalties, if ever they have issued any!

In the summer with the nice open parks, families with their picnics just yards from a bin again choose to leave it on the floor, probably thinking the cleaners will do it.

Also the increasing problem of discarded cigarettes just dropped on to the ground.

I do not know why Southampton has not followed in the footsteps of other towns/cities and issue fixed penalties.

It may focus people’s minds to be more considerate with their litter and dispose of it in the bins provided.

Also, why doesn’t the council/government impose a percentage charge to students towards the council tax for using the facilities, they do generate and dispose of waste products.

Everything nowadays appears to centre around students.

I was in my local pub where a group of students were ordering their food, most saving approx £2.

Next in line was an elderly couple ordering a similar order and having to pay full price!

Lastly, what a great business opportunity with the daily hire of bicycles at a £1.

How come this company does not have its own parking stands, thus depriving some citizens from parking their own bikes on the stands provided by the council?

What a great way to run a business with very little or no overheads.

Peter Fallon

Southampton