COUNCILLOR Galloway states that executive members had visited most streets in York because of the complaints of how filthy they are (June 2).

I can only assume they must have been looking skyward not to be able to see how bad things have got and they evidently did not look into the grates. In 80 per cent of cases, one cannot see any water as they are half full of grime and grit.

This only comes about because the roads are never swept. If Coun Galloway wants proof, he should come to the entrance of Sandacre Court and start at the pedestrian crossing, walk down Poppleton Road both sides and on along Holgate Road. This would only be a small area of the problem. If a road-sweeping service operated every few months, the grates would only need cleaning every four or five years.

If the cost is the problem, this would be ideal work for people doing community service under supervision, in certain states in America they are provided with coloured overalls so the people can see they are providing a useful service for the community.

A Cockerill,

Sandacre Court,

Boroughbridge Road, York.

Updated: 10:17 Friday, June 11, 2004