SIR – I am quite amazed that we live in 2009-10 and yet still, as reported last year, the council has not learnt its lesson.

Back in the 70s and 80s the council services still kept going; I should know I worked for them.

The gardeners and all council tractors were out salting and clearing paths, with the elderly and disabled bungalows first, then slopes and shop fronts around the areas.

I was called out on a Saturday morning and had my name down over the Christmas period to be called out.

Some mower machines had snow ploughs put on them.

So what is going on? The services have not gone forward but back!

Dave Brown,

via email.