Letters: Why is it taking so long to clean up the city's streets?

The question is, why has it taken you until now to take some action? The first snow arrived around 19 December and as of yesterday not one pavement from Jock's Lodge into the city centre had been gritted. This area is just one example of the problem across the city.

In the same area most household refuse has not been uplifted since before Christmas. The large wheelie bins are overflowing again and obviously there has been no street cleansing done. What have the council workforce been doing? Certainly none of the tasks I have mentioned.

This is the same department that has been in a work-to-rule for the past eight months costing the public millions of pounds. Now we are having to pay 50,000 per day for even more contractors. Apparently the council has a bottomless pit of money – our money – to employ more contractors.

What an utter shambles.

David Black, Kenmure Avenue, Edinburgh

Thanks for hard work on the roads

I WOULD like to thank and praise the council for working so hard and continuously to grit the roads during the recent extreme weather conditions.

It is sad that so many people are quick to complain that not enough is being done – we have to remember that the weather has indeed been extreme and often. No sooner have the gritters been out when often the snow falls heavily yet again. We surely cannot expect miracles!

Also, I remember frequently helping my parents (when a child) clear our path and bit of pavement of any snow outside our house and all the neighbours in the streets did the same – milder winters have deemed this unnecessary and it seems to have been forgotten about.

However, it does help enormously to keep the pavements safe when we all "do our bit" instead of moaning to the council!

Thanks for being out in all weathers.

Helen Peutherer, Clovenstone, Edinburgh

Get ready for thaw one if ice hits you

SUNSHINE has started a thaw in Leith that is causing some concern for pedestrians along Carpet Lane and Water Street.

Keeping your footing on slippery pavements while dodging hefty chunks of ice that are falling from the rooftops is a struggle for all but the very nimble.

Having a crafty smoke outside the office, I was watching a man walking his dog try to keep his balance after a shower of chunks startled him.

I was then hit squarely on the shoulder – a sign to quit the dreaded weed, or perhaps a reminder not to take covert pleasure in another's misfortune!

Ann Confrey, Carpet Lane, Leith

New job deal will affect productivity

AS AN employee for the last 25 years, I'm appalled by the attitude of the council on this 90-day notice to force, or should I say bully, workers to sign new contracts (News, 6 January).

This modernising pay is so unfair, because any employee on a bonus will lose out.

I know changes must be made, but be fair, workers have been on bonuses for years as part of an incentive to work harder. If this is taken away, productivity will certainly go down – is that the way forward?

Maybe the men in suits should take a pay cut.

Allan Cunningham, council worker, Vexhim Park, Edinburgh

Don't forget your garden's guests

I HOPE members of the public out of the goodness of their hearts will be kind enough to put out food for the birds, especially during the cold winter months.

Our feathered friends suffer greatly in the winter. Any scraps of food are welcomed, oats are a great source of fuel, as are seeds and nuts.

Our garden guests bring much delight and we surely all must remember to feed them and leave water, especially now, but also all year round.

Mrs June Fleming, Hercus Loan, Musselburgh