I was disappointed that neither in your report, nor in your comment column, did you print any condemnation of the unprovoked, violent attack on a council workman manning a recycling skip.

Whatever the arguments about the new procedures for waste management there can be no justification for such behaviour.

Clearly, the council still has a long way to go in fully explaining the way the new waste collection schemes will operate. The new scheme is not to save money, but to reach recycling targets and will actually cost substantially more.

Mrs Kirkham should not be concerned as the community skip service will continue to take metal items like fridges but instead of being landfilled, they will be recycled.

Similarly, her excess garden waste will be taken for composting. We have over 100 recycling centres conveniently located (compared to a handful in surrounding districts) where cans and bottles can be taken, including one at Hilperton School near her home.

Although we would love to collect more items from the doorstep the cost of waste collection would virtually double. We have no evidence of any increase in 'fly tipping'.

Mr Carter should be reassured that in composting 'green waste' aerobically as is proposed, no methane is generated, while when it rots anaerobically in a landfill, this is the serious consequence.

Finally, I am pleased that Mr Roberts is partly reassured. His remaining doubts would be completely alleviated if he takes up my offer of the visit to see how Daventry, a 'beacon council' manages its waste.

Cllr Adrian Fox,

Chair,

Environment Working Group,

West Wiltshire District Council.