Disgusting state of our district

Cllr Oliver Fawcett is to be commended for his efforts to tackle the litter problem in Canterbury (£250: The Staggering Cost Of Picking Up A Single Crisp Packet, Kentish Gazette, March 3).

I think his ideas are all good ones. Educating youngsters is especially important.

I wish something could be done about the huge amount of litter by the railway bridge between Lansdown Road and Canterbury East station.

It is such an eyesore and it gets worse every year.

Considering many pedestrians use this route as an entry point to the city – visitors to the cricket ground, for instance – I think this is a shame.

Could Network Rail not be persuaded to organise an annual clear-up? I would get stuck in myself if I had access to the land! Kim Young Lansdown Road, Canterbury

A message to Her Majesty the Queen – please do not travel on the A2 between Canterbury and Dover as you will be disgusted about the amount of litter and other rubbish along the verges and in the lay-bys (Touring Coaches Add To The Roadside Filth, Letters and Opinion, Kentish Gazette, March 10).

The local and county councils appear to have turned a blind eye to the problem.

Might I make a suggestion to all those concerned?

Travel along this stretch of road and see for yourselves the disgusting state of our road.

We have a number of offenders on community service – could they not be put to good use clearing up the mess?

If the carriageways have to be closed while the cleaning is in progress, unfortunately inconveniencing the innocent as well as the offenders, then perhaps a message will get across.

Take your litter home with you or dispose of it properly in rubbish bins. David Dodman Westgate Court Avenue, Canterbury

I have today driven from Teynham to Dover and back and remain appalled by the never-ending array of litter, rubbish and excrement deposited along the whole length of the A2 roadside and verges.

What a disgusting example for all to see and especially so to visitors to and from the Continent.

Almost weekly the Gazette prints similar letters of concern outlining possible measures that could be taken to tackle the problem.

Unfortunately our national and local officers appear to have neither the interest nor the motivation to deal with this.

This is not solely Kent’s problem, but practically and financially it is a national responsibility given that the A2 traffic percolates to all corners of the country.

Accordingly, any costs incurred in dealing with this issue should be met from the national purse. So what can be done?

I propose that the local press and media could, among other measures, convene an action meeting to be attended by all who are concerned and motivated.

Unless a suitable course of action is taken involving all relevant organisations who have the clout and interest to pursue this matter, then our avenue of litter, rubbish and excrement will continue to demonstrate the country’s apathy and failure to really grasp the mettle and do something meaningful about our so-called Garden of England.

I sincerely hope that the Gazette will take the initiative in this vital matter and establish its worth as the voice of Kent. Bernard Broughton Erriott Wood, Kingsdown Editor’s note: Last year we launched our Clean Up Kent campaign. It’s time to dust it off.