Rubbish piles up as new waste strategy falls short

ALL over Cardiff, rubbish is filling the streets. Councillor Michael Michael has rewritten the maths book, as he stated that bins and bags would now be collected on a four-day week, (five minus one = four), but in our area (Llanishen) and it seems all over Cardiff by the amount of letters you are receiving, five minus one = six as we have had three Saturday collections.

This must be costing thousands of pounds in overtime, plus the fact more rubbish is piling up in the way of black bags, which the collectors do not collect.

It’s no wonder the lanes and side roads around Cardiff are a disgrace to the city.

Fly-tipping is on the increase, but what did the council expect when bags are not collected and the council makes it harder to visit the legal rubbish dump sites? Book an appointment to visit – how ridiculous is that? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Whilst I am writing, I may as well add the road drains and gutters to the list. Nearly every road drain here in Llanishen is blocked and the gutters full with winter twigs and leaves. The main Thornhill Road is like the Amazon when it rains as the water has nowhere to go.

In the past, I knew several dustmen (the ones who actually picked up bins), and they respected the streets. If they dropped anything, they would pick it up; now if anything drops off the wagon, it is left to the gulls and foxes to clear it up. Respect for the job has gone and respect should come from the top – alas, it seems no-one on the council respects the people of Cardiff. Tony Jefferies Llanishen, Cardiff

No comparison with French

SIMON CALDER, the British travel expert, complained that flying into Cardiff airport he was confused by Covid information being given in both Welsh and English and he felt this was not necessary (“Travel expert sparks Welsh language row”, Echo, April 15).

He was asked if he would expect a message in French if flying into Paris. However, this comparison is false. How many Welsh people flying into Cardiff do not understand English? None, even the most ardent Welsh speakers speak and understand perfect English.

We have seen the same tokenism on television, where watching a totally English programme, such as Coronation Street, we have had a Covid announcement in Welsh. Why? The people watching, whether Welsh or English speakers, are watching in English so must understand it.

David Gorton

Rumney, Cardiff

‘Modern great’ who achieved so much

LIKE many, I haven’t really thought much about Prince Philip, pictured, during my 60 years.

He has always been there with the Queen but my daughter watched

The Crown last year and asked me lots of questions and I took a passing interest.

However, on

Friday I focused my thoughts after hearing all the plaudits and I really started to realise all the good work he has done in his life: no less than supporting our great Queen through all her years and achievements, seeing us through a peaceful end of Empire period, bringing a family up in their environments, political upheaval, financial collapses, huge cultural change. It’s never ending.

Of course we hear a few negatives, like the gaffes, but that is just politically-correct twonks overanalysing every word to make news.

My pro career is in corporate sales and when I think of the introductions I have had over the years and the conversations I have had to strike up and lead... believe me, I made a few gaffes.

His ice-breaking chats were a major part of the Elizabeth and Philip brand being so successful worldwide since the 1940s.

He attended 22,000 functions on behalf of the country in his career. Very, very impressive.

I love sayings with substance. On Saturday’s boxing coverage, Tasha Jonas, a lovely Liverpool fighter, said: “My grandfather used to say, ‘In life you have three names: 1, the name you inherit; 2, the name you are given; and 3, the name you make for yourself.

Fab, I thought. It made me think of Philip. He dealt with those three superbly, especially the third.

And nobody said on Friday and Saturday that he was a “great man”. I would say that he was a “modern great”.

You don’t have to fight wars to be a modern great.

Jules Plow

Bridgend

Flag signifies end of the meddling

WHAT a magnificent idea to fly the Union Jack on all public buildings. Power to your elbow, Boris Johnson.

This is exactly what Brexit is about. Out with the old EU along with their bureaucracy and meddling. In with putting the great back in Britain.

Rule Britannia and thank you for listening to us Brexiteers.

Geoffrey Brooking

Havant, Hampshire

Alas, it seems no-one on the council respects the people of Cardiff

Tony Jefferies Llanishen, Cardiff