Services on a slippery slope

SIR – It is disgraceful how the residents of Welwyn Hatfield Council have been treated during the icy weather (WHT, February 4). As the pensioner described it, she was trapped in her own home due to the icy state of the pavements surrounding her home. T

SIR - It is disgraceful how the residents of Welwyn Hatfield Council have been treated during the icy weather (WHT, February 4).

As the pensioner described it, she was trapped in her own home due to the icy state of the pavements surrounding her home.

The response from the council spokeswoman only confirms the attitude of the council to its residents.

Before the council privatised its services, the directly employed refuse collectors, not being able to do their normal collection work, would have been used to remove snow and ice from footpaths around elderly persons homes and the town centres.

Now the council do not employ any direct labour. Do the contractors not do this type of emergency work? Is it not in their contract?

As there has not been any sign of a refuse collection service this week, what has happened to the refuse collectors? Have they all stayed at home?

It seems to me that as our council taxes keep going up, the services provided by the council get less and less.

I also notice that the town hall staff all finished work at 2pm in the afternoon. So much for public service!

A J Grice, Dellcott Close, WGC.