IT WAS with interest that I read St Helens Council are to employ four environmental wardens following a year's trial. I trust I understood that the article stated these wardens were to impose on the spot fines for anyone responsible for littering, waste and dog fouling within the borough.

I question why these people need to have two vehicles as reported in the Star? What's wrong with motorcycles, public transport, bicycles, or just plain old walking?

They already have street cleaners all across the borough, is it beyond their capability to be tasked with writing out a bit of paper? I'm sure many of your existing workforce would be happy for the extra pay those extra responsibilities would gain them.

I'm not opposed to fines where people are deliberately causing problems but I have to ask you, how many of those fined did so without thinking?

Surely an opportunity to make good the problem they had caused and a polite thank-you for helping keep St Helens clean would win the council more support rather than reaching for a big stick the first opportunity they get?

Via www.sthelensstar.co.uk