DEAR EDITOR -- The invitation to therecent Bromsgrove 'Spotlight' meeting is headed 'Your chance to have your say on local issues'.

I went prepared to voice my strong objection to the environmental effects of 'wheelie bins' on our residential districts.

On saying that in my view they are ugly, inconvenient, unhygienic, but burglar friendly, I was interrupted by the chairman, county councillor June Longmuir, who implied that I was making a political statement and only entitled to ask a question.

I said that I would conclude with a question, but briefly list the factors which supported my opinion and started to do so. I was interrupted again and obliged to skip to my question as to whether residents would have the opportunity to express their wishes in a referendum.

The answer to this was a flat 'No', and to move on to the next person with a raised hand.

Do we have a democracy with freedom of speech, or a dictatorial 'cabinet' in both Bromsgrove District Council and the county council ? I owe allegiance to no political party - but since World War II have volunteered my services for the public good in several ways, independently.

The council, councillors and officers involved, used perfect timing to announce their plans.

Two weeks after elections so that they will not lose control as happened over the Recreation Ground, and one week before the plan is to be passed.

Do residents know that where there is no through passage to the rear, two ugly bins will stand prominently and continuously in front of their homes. Do proud householders want this?

Do others want to see this eyesore when they look out of windows to neighbours opposite, or are simply passing once attractive frontages?

Homes with sloping paths, or worse, steps to the public footway, will require much effort to move the heavy full bins up, or hold them back. Will there be compensation for resulting injury/death?

Before the council remind me that disabled will be helped, it is known that otherwise able people have unexpected 'attacks', and they will be moving bins by council diktat.

Large, cumbersome bins, without liners, emptied fortnightly, are unhygienic. They cannot be easily swilled and inverted as can the current lightweights.

They are inconvenient to fill, or hide, because of their height.

The worst aspect is public footpaths littered with large brown or green bins as well as boxes, from morning to evening where there is no one home to remove them?

This will be a clear sign to prospective burglars as the BBC recently demonstrated, a hazard to pedestrians, especially the blind and disabled, and a blot on our landscape every seven days.

Residents who don't want this blight on their neighbourhood should address their views to their councillor and the council offices. It may be already too late for the current vote, but we have a precedent for decisions to be reversed, and this matter has far more reaching effects than the Recreation Ground.

John Cawthen

Marlbrook

Bromsgrove