Steven Chown, of Chudleigh Knighton, writes:

Cllr Hellier-Laing seems more intent on scoring points against his Liberal Democrat rivals on the council rather than identifying practical solutions to the growing litter problem. This problem was highlighted on the pages of the Mid Devon Advertiser as far back as January when the new scheme was introduced (MDA, ‘New system creating litter strewn streets’, January 22). So it is nothing new or as isolated as Cllr Hellier-Laing suggests.

I am wholly in favour of the new recycling scheme and like many residents will take the time to clear up after the refuse lorry has been. But the actions of individual residents and litter picking groups cannot be considered a long term solution. Teignbridge Council needs to take responsibility for its own actions and divert money raised from the scheme into practical solutions: nets or lids for the square recycling bins, more time for the refuse teams to pick up litter, or additional staff to make a systematic clearance of our road sides.

Fortunately most of the correspondence on this issue has been conducted by email, if it had been by old fashioned letter we would still be chasing the paper trail down the street. We can all do our part but it is time for the council to come up with a solution rather than rely on residents to clear up a mess of its own making.