Winter weather

We had not had any collections since before Christmas. On January 19, my wife telephoned to find out the situation. She was advised our green bin would be emptied the next day and that all bins would be emptied by the end of Friday, January 22. Low and behold, our blue bin was serviced, so it was a good job I put both bins out – not trusting to providence. Friday went – and my green bin is still full.

Our authority’s organisational skills know no bounds; late on January 20 its Help Desk emailed to say my original inquiry of January 11 had been forwarded to the relevant department for them to handle. Then, on Monday this week, the same person emailed again thanking me for my inquiry, but apologising for the delay in contacting me – due to the adverse weather. I still haven’t heard from the relevant department.

It amazes me in this technological age, when I have been in contact with Australia and the US during the “adverse weather”, that I could not be contacted from five miles along the road.

M Hawkins, Langley Park, Durham.

in our society. One of the most violent causes of death in our community is death by hypothermia.

Recently, there have been a number of vulnerable elderly people who have been found to have frozen to death in their homes.

The criteria which is used by authorities to determine whether the additional £25 heating payment will be made is far too draconian.

The £25 weekly payments are only made for any seven consecutive days when the average temperature falls to 0C, or below, for 24hours.

If at any time during the week the temperature reaches plus 1C, no payment is made and this does not take into consideration the chill factor.

Unless the rules are changed we will continue to find the elderly and the vulnerable freezing to death in their homes.

Keith Dewison, Billingham.

A DIFFERENT form of winter road madness occurs to that of 4x4 drivers as mentioned by your unnamed correspondent (HAS, Jan 15) – namely that of gaily driving around on gloomy, foggy or rainy days, with road surface slippery, but no lights on. Side lights will do. You will be seen that second earlier – so vital.

Fred M Atkinson, Shincliffe, Durham.

RE the recent snow and ice debacle and the placing of the salt bins in the places where they are most needed – steep hills, etc.

Can someone explain why such a bin is situated outside the rear gate of the Willington home of Councillor Brian Myers, chairman of Durham County Council, as it is not on a steep hill or accident blackspot?

Maybe it is so he can keep his many appointments with The Northern Echo’s photographers.

P Ainsley, Low Willington, Crook, Co Durham.