Hitchin is blessed with a feature in its centre which many towns up and down the UK would give their right arm for – a river. Now that the Ransom s site is being developed, it is heartening to see that the Hiz through the development is being sculptured w

Hitchin is blessed with a feature in its centre which many towns up and down the UK would give their right arm for - a river.

Now that the Ransom's site is being developed, it is heartening to see that the Hiz through the development is being sculptured with a riverside walk, new bankside clearance and making the scene more attractive for all.

Yesterday, however, disappointment clouded the scene in the shape of plastic bags fluttering in the trees, beer cans and two large road cones nestling in the river. But best of all was the Sainsbury's trolley 'reef'. Three trolleys were damming the Hiz near the goods exit bridge.

One would have thought that with Sainsbury's stated environmental concern, that they would remove the trolleys post-haste. However, the problem would be largely solved if we had that French system of coin operated trolleys. The problem would disappear, and you would not find escaped trolleys in the most unlikely places. And before we get the usual whines of "it will cost my money", it does not, as you retrieve your coin when returning the trolley.

It costs nothing to the consumer, makes for a more disciplined trolley park and may even save the Hiz behind Sainsbury's from further despoilment by their trolleys.

ANGUS KINDLEY, Address supplied