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ES Views: London is beautiful — let’s not be as littered as Paris

The issue of littering in London has infuriated residents: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
The issue of littering in London has infuriated residents: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

I was most intrigued to read Lydia Tapping’s letter, despairing over the cleanliness of London’s streets [Letters, July 24]. Probably no big city is perfect in this regard but her letter makes me wonder if she has visited Paris lately.

We lived in the Paris area until very recently, and can confirm that compared to the French capital, London is positively gleaming. There is a particularly notable absence of dog excrement in Britain but we find the streets to be far cleaner in general.

While it can seem in the context of Brexit there is little for Brits to be proud of at the moment, Britain also needs to acknowledge at the same time what it can and does do well compared with similarly culturally and economically rich countries. London is a testament to that.
​Bianca Pellet

I have just read Lydia Tapping’s letter about how littering isn’t taken seriously enough. I too am appalled by how dirty London is, especially having just returned here from 18 months living and working in Sydney. We are obviously in a slightly different place from Australia population-wise but we can still learn so much from them.

London is so unique and special, steeped in history, culture and amazing architecture. We should be proud of this amazing city that many of us call home.

I understand people lead stressful lives, often leading them to live life in a mostly unconscious manner. But people need to wake up and take responsibility for their actions and take pride in this wonderful place in which they live and the larger environment.

Leaving rubbish lying on the streets is just pure laziness. If everyone were more mindful and took responsibility for the way they live their lives, London would be a much cleaner and happier place to live.
Claire Gamble

Without a doubt London is a beautiful city but our streets are covered with litter. Many people drop rubbish without a thought for others or the health risk it is causing.

There has been a report of rat infestation in the borough of Harrow due to litter and plastic waste bags lying around attracting rodents. It is time local authorities and government took this problem seriously and started to educate the public about the health dangers of dropping litter. It is an offence and can incur a fine.

I recently had a visitor from Spain staying who was horrified at our streets littered with food rubbish, bottles, cans and coffee cups. In the few places where waste bins are provided, quite often they are too small and not emptied often enough and, as a result, are overflowing.

The general public should be be encouraged to carry litter to the nearest bin, or take it home.
Roger Bristow

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Corbyn can't deliver on tuition fees row

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said just enough to convince gullible students about tuition fees. Now, thinking he has a chance of power, he is going back on it, purely because he can’t deliver and he knows it.

This sort of reckless irresponsibility is all we need on top of all the stupid political correctness.
A G Surrey


Perhaps student debts relating to tuition fees, and perhaps a fixed amount for living costs, should be written off for graduates who complete five years in a key public- sector role where there are shortages, such as nursing or teaching.
Ben Alexander


Seeing the human face of foreign aid

In the debate about the value of foreign aid, the people affected remain faceless.

At Belu Water we donate our profits to WaterAid, to bring clean water, toilets and hygiene promotion. I have seen men and women harness the opportunities aid has afforded them.

Aid delivered properly transforms lives; helping the world’s most disadvantaged people help themselves out of poverty.
Karen Lynch, CEO Belu Water Ltd


Railways must be run by unified railways

As a former railwayman I was sorry to read [July 24] of more disruption to South West Trains’ services to and from Waterloo due to a signal failure. In the days of British Rail, trains were rarely brought to a standstill over such wide areas as competent staff were available to do hand signalling and points operation at ground level.

Even a major signal box fire at Clapham Junction in 1986 did not stop the next morning’s rush hour. Nowadays health and safety and widespread centralisation of signalling have combined to halt the system due to problems we once dealt with promptly because all staff worked for a unified organisation.

The railways do not need to be renationalised but returned to companies entirely responsible for every aspect of their operation.
Peter Clark

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The lessons of our sporting success

I am old enough to have met and known some of sporting cycling’s long-time greats, including Reg Harris, the multi-world professional sprint champion, multi-Tour de France winners in Jacques Anquetil and Louison Bobet and our own early tour pioneers in Yorkshire’s Brian Robinson and Tom Simpson. That is why I feel it is time — and also long overdue — that the honours system recognises Chris Froome’s sensational achievement in winning four Tours de France.

Froome may come from Africa and live in Monte Carlo but so do lots of other Brits awarded a knighthood. I also believe there should be a television award for the awesome day-long coverage on our screens with its informative commentary and brilliant pictures, despite challenging conditions and tricky terrain.
John Matthews

Sunday’s women’s cricket final at Lord’s was a thrilling and unforgettable, if at times nail-biting, experience — a packed crowd, including lots of families, all having a great time, and wonderful cricket.

Huge thanks to both England and India, whose teams did their nations, and the sport, proud. I hope this match gives a huge boost to the game and inspires many youngsters to get out there and have a go.
Genny Millinger


Does the well-deserved World Cup victory mean Lord’s should be renamed “Lord’s and Lady’s”?
Stan Labovitch

It is most refreshing to see that in a world dominated by men’s sport, our women are thriving. The England Women’s team beat Scotland and Spain in the European Championship group stages while our cricket team pulled off an amazing victory in the World Cup.

The most satisfying thing is to be able to follow the action, with the former on Channel 4 and the latter prominent on the back pages. I hope this will result in women’s sport being taken more seriously. Johanna Konta attracted a big audience at Wimbledon until she went out in the semi-final. Now it’s up to the media to give them the opportunity to support our British sportswomen.
Gemma Castle

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