THE council mower operators in Darlington seem as inept as those in Durham City according to Jo Jones (HAS, Aug 1).

Mowing litter is the norm and, when confronted, one suggested I report him.

Such was his apathy and his manager’s weakness, he clearly didn’t expect consequences.

Now Durham has the rat infestation it deserves.

I’ve walked by the Wear in the centre of Durham several times recently and have seen rats there on all but two occasions.

The rubbish in and around the river remains in place day after day and it is apparent that no effective strategy exists to remove it.

The squalor prompted a tourist to comment on this “dirty country” and I suspect he won’t want to come back.

Shame on everyone who allowed this situation to develop over many years, long before the excuse of austerity.

J Stanhope, Durham