WE asked WHT readers if they were satisfied with street cleaning services in Times Territory and our survey said…no, not really. Last week we reported a quarterly survey by Welwyn Hatfield Council partners Serco found that 77 per cent of residents were

WE asked WHT readers if they were satisfied with street cleaning services in Times Territory and our survey said...no, not really.

Last week we reported a quarterly survey by Welwyn Hatfield Council partners Serco found that 77 per cent of residents were happy with the borough's street cleaning service.

But a number of readers have since called and written to the WHT begging to differ.

Jenny Halsey, of Norman Road, Welwyn, dismissed the survey as "rubbish".

"The people who are supposed to clean the roads need to either be sacked or get a good kick up the bum," she said.

"As you come into Welwyn from the Garden City there's rubbish all along the banks and the streets, it's terrible."

And Jenny O'Hare, from Meadow Close, Welham Green, said: "I'm not sure where they got this information from.

"I think the rubbish is just appalling.

"I do a lot of walking, and collect tins and bottles for recycling. I come home absolutely loaded. It's not pretty."

Responding to Serco's original findings, borough councillor Clare Berry had said she was "delighted" the partnership between the contractor and the council had "succeeded".

But Christine Gaught, of Cunningham Avenue, Hatfield, said: "It's a bit of a cheek for Clare Berry to say there isn't a problem. It's a rubbish tip here.

"We have to have volunteers pick up the litter. I don't know where they've done this survey but they haven't done it round here."

The telephone survey, managed by market research FDS, selected residents at random.

Respondents were asked a variety of questions, ranging from how satisfied they were with the overall service, the appearance of parks, gardens, common land and open spaces. Participants had to rate their level of satisfaction from very satisfied to very dissatisfied.

Cllr Berry stood by the survey, saying: "The independent research company that undertook the recent satisfaction survey on behalf of Serco conform to very strict regulations to ensure that data is gathered and reported accurately.

"I am, therefore, satisfied the 77 per cent satisfaction rate found is an accurate representation.

"Obviously some residents are still dissatisfied with the cleanliness of the borough's streets.

"However, that is why Serco undertake these surveys, so that areas for improvement can be identified and progress can continue to be made.