The litter pickers

sir – I am one of a dedicated band of volunteer litter pickers (Letters, March 7) who strive to keep the hedgerows and verges around their towns and villages clear of litter.

It is a never-ending task, and our group can only do it with the help and support of our parish council, and the occasional visit from the county council “men in orange”, who will dispose of our full bags when we have collected enough to make it worth their while.

The problem is that it is not safe or practical for volunteers to work on the main roads and motorway verges that so desperately need attention. This requires signage, cones and insurance for a proper job to be done. I am sure that county councils will say there is no money for such an undertaking. In other developed countries, certainly in Europe, litter doesn’t appear to be the problem that it is here.

The “Great British Litter Pick” will be taking place between March 17 and April 2, and I am sure that hundreds of enthusiastic litter pickers across the country will be collecting an enormous amount of litter. It is just a pity that we are unable to attack the parts of the country that really need our attention.

Lorna Cubbage

Northall, Bedfordshire