FURTHER to recent letters in the Star concerning litter, I would like to point out that St Helens Council goes to great lengths to keep its streets and public spaces rubbish free.

While government cuts have taken their toll on almost everything we do, we have managed to maintain a comprehensive litter collection service.

We have 27 full-time street sweepers covering the borough, as well as teams who target problem areas. Every street bin is emptied at least once a week, while the Community Payback Team regularly assists in helping to clear litter.

Last year, it cost St Helens Council over £1.7 million to clean litter, with the most common items including cigarette butts, food waste and bus and train ticket stubs.

At Sankey Valley Country Park, which was mentioned in recent correspondence, all bins are emptied at least once a week, while those in well-used areas, such as the Visitor Centre and the Slitting Mill, are emptied twice a week. Tarmac pathways are cleaned once a fortnight, while weekly litter-picks are carried out by rangers in well-used areas.

Readers will also have seen that we’ll soon be introducing environmental wardens who will be on patrol to ensure those who are responsible for littering are made to pay.

While we will target the two streets mentioned in correspondence for immediate litter clearance, we would point out that the other areas – Carr Mill Dam and the Alexandra Drive business area – are the responsibility of other organisations.

Cllr Seve Gomez Aspron, Cabinet Member for Environment and Neighbourhoods