I cannot see how York can justify the chewing gum remover. It merely covers a small area which has to be done again and again.

The rest of the town still has to put up with discarded chewing gum. The situation has been the same for the last 70 years all around the country.

Why has it suddenly become so important to single out one small area around the town centre to spend taxpayers money on its removal?

It is like King Canute trying to hold back the tide.

The rest of the city needs tidying up, and this includes cutting back hedges which invade footpaths, causing hazards for those who have to walk along them daily. There are probably many other similar situations which should take priority over discarded chewing gum, which is a wasted effort.

Someone has suggested a penny tax on the packets of gum. Extra tax on cigarettes hasn't reduced the number of cigarette ends discarded, so why should there be any different for gum?

JWT Beisly,

Osprey Close,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 09:25 Wednesday, August 03, 2005