AM I the only person or one of a select few who are having trouble getting their garden waste collected?

On several occasions my garden waste, although put out the night before, has been left on the pavement.

The reason for this is that I live in a cul-de-sac and for some reason the council's operatives cannot be bothered to walk to the end to check for bags.

On phoning the council "inaction line'' I am informed that this has to be reported the day following the collection day in case the operatives should come back to complete their collections on the correct day. Then collection can be arranged.

What actually happens is the bag sits on the pavement for another fortnight and if we are lucky they get it right next time.

As I am disabled and the bag has to be dragged round three houses to get to the front of mine I don't intend to drag it back while it is still full.

RICHARD DENSHAM, Lordshill, Southampton.

Andrew Trayer, head of waste management at Southampton City Council, replies "The council operatives make in excess of nine million individual collections of waste and recyclable materials each year. On a service of this size and nature, standards occasionally fall short of those we aim to provide to residents.

"Any problems should always be reported immediately in order that we are able to resolve the issue and ensure the consistency of service that the council is aiming for, and that residents should rightfully expect.

"This particular matter is being investigated and we will resolve any problem, and seek to ensure that garden waste collections are provided promptly and reliably in all areas of the city.

"I would like to thank Mr Densham for raising his concerns regarding this issue."