I applaud Peterborough City Council for its efforts, but believe we are tackling this issue in the wrong way.

The need for such clean-up operations has been brought about by the lack of preventative maintenance on our streets. We are urged to keep the city clean, but where we once had street cleaners who "kept their finger on the button", we no longer have them.

Now with the smoking ban, we are seeing more and more cigarette ends cast on our streets.

Once upon a time, cleaners would have been on top of this situation, but now it seems no one sweeps the streets.

The other day, we has the grass cutters on our verges, followed by men who were blowing the cuttings into the gutter. When it rains, they will be washed into the drains and could cause blockages.

Surely this is not an acceptable way of keeping our city tidy.

On a recent Saturday, my wife took a stroll along the Embankment. It was most uncomfortable because the pathway was, for many, many yards, littered with broken twigs etc.

This really cannot give a good impression of the city to visitors.

Isn't it time we tackled this issue more realistically and, if need be, went back to the systems of former times?
DOUG SCOTT
Paston Lane,
Peterborough

Climate change 'is a con'
So the city is going into "ecological debt" (ET, May 12).
I've never heard so much claptrap in my life. Who set the
criteria? Was it set by some tree-hugging fluffy eco-warrior, or someone having a laugh?
As far as I am concerned, the climate changes we have seen may well be the planet adjusting itself. There's nothing we can do about it.
Governments cannot run countries efficiently, let alone Earth and mother nature. At this time, the nutcases are blindly starving millions of people, by growing crops to produce "green" fuel. How stupid can that be?
For a parting shot, where do
climate change taxes end up?
The answer is the same place as stealth taxes.
Climate change is a big con.
D BAKER
Hincliffe,
Orton Goldhay,
Peterborough

Theatre charges are 'too prohibitive'
It was pleasing to read your star letter (ET, May 12) from Joyce and Fred Haslock about how much they enjoyed shows at the Key Theatre performed by local societies.
As a member of Westwood Musical Society, it is always a huge thrill to perform in such a lovely theatre and the buzz you get from standing on that stage is second to none.
Unfortunately, people like Joyce and Fred may not be watching many more local productions, as the the Key Theatre costs are getting far too prohibitive for amateur groups.
If Peterborough City Council can afford to spend £2 million of public money refurbishing the building, it's a shame it cannot invest in our very talented local societies for Peterborough people to enjoy. Otherwise, has the public only paid for professional groups to get the benefit?
The city council obviously thinks the money is a good investment for the developing Embankment area. The Key's facade is certainly improved, but why has the backstage area been left out of any modernisation?
Westwood recently performed Anything Goes at the theatre. We had reasonable audiences for all six performances, and yet, mainly due to the Key's high prices, lost a considerable sum of money.
We certainly have a real gem of a theatre that the city of Peterborough should be proud of, but is this cultural community entertainment centre going to be taken away from local people who want to perform there?
I hope not.
ALAN RIBAKOVS
Gascoigne,
Werrington,
Peterborough

Autistic children deserve a future
As the parent of a child with autism, I am very worried about what will happen as they get older.
Autism is a lifelong condition, yet as I Exist – the new report from the National Autistic Society (NAS) – has found, many adults with the disability struggle to get the help they so desperately need.
Many feel isolated and ignored and are entirely dependent on their families for support.
I want to see the right
services and support in
place so people with autism in Peterborough can reach their true potential.
The right help at the right time can have a profound effect.
That is why I'm supporting the NAS Think Differently About Autism campaign.
I urge people in Peterborough to visit www.think-
differently.org.uk and help put pressure on local and national government to do more to transform the lives of adults with autism.
WARREN
SPRINGTHORPE
Mercian Court,
Peterborough

Support needed for carers
Well done Callum Corder for all he does to help his mum who suffers from ME ("Caring Callum wins new citizenship award", ET, May 12).
It's great to hear some good news for a change.
I'm sure that family
members do want to look after their own relatives, just because they love them and seek no other reward for it, but the Government of the day should not forget to play its part too.
It's vital that little treasures like Callum don't have too much weight on their shoulders and have some time to themselves as well.
DR JOHN H GREENSMITH
ME Free For All,
Bristol