Not insignificant

You invited comments with regard to Heather Pickstock's article on the civic amenity site in Valley Road. I think there is no doubt that North Somerset Council have shown their usual negligence in dealing with this problem. When the tip was first closed, I e-mailed a North Somerset Councillor to suggest that perhaps the council could consider increasing their 'green' collections from fortnightly to weekly during the time of the closure. This provoked a reply to the effect that this was not considered necessary as there was no limit to the number of 'green bags' that could be put out. Unfortunately, that proved not to be the case (which I pointed out at the time ... but received no response) since the green bags were not available. Only this morning my husband has tried to acquire more bags and been told by the Garden Shop in Portishead High Street, that once again, the delivery date has been put back. He did manage to purchase one from the Folk Hall - but only one per customer was permitted. Of course, the tip could have been repaired and re-opened by now - but one has to realise that, whilst it is closed, North Somerset Council are saving money. A free collection service for bulkier items such as fridges, washing machines, etc., could also have been offered but in fact the council appear to have taken no steps at all to try and provide a service to deal with this emergency. Perhaps it is time that we, as residents, should withhold some of our council tax - by way of compensation for the lack of facility. After all, the cost involved in transporting rubbish to Backwell or Weston is not insignificant - and requires a suitable vehicle in which to do so in bulk.Also, one has to question whether work on the walls of the tip is likely to be carried out before the peregrine falcons return to nest again.Rosie Weekes - Via e-mail