I WRITE in response to Mrs Tait's letter, "Clean up our roads"(March 17).

In answer to her question: "Where are the council cleaners?", they are out on the streets, working hard irrespective of weather conditions, cleaning up not only litter but everything from discarded hypodermic needles and excrement to dumped furniture and household goods in streets and back lanes.

It is far too easy to criticise the council and the street cleaners but this misses the point.

They are not the ones who make the mess.

If more people used the facilities provided for waste disposal the problem would be greatly reduced and, perhaps, York would then get the prize our hardworking street cleaners deserve.

Dave Bonner,

Deputy general convenor Unison,

Swinegate Court East,

York.

Updated: 10:30 Wednesday, March 26, 2003