Dear Editor,

It was with interest that I read that Ross is being considered by McDonald’s as a new outlet. It would of course be nice to see all the empty shops occupied and it certainly would be easier to fill them if the business council tax was not so expensive, but, on an environmental point of view can we really support such a venture?

When I was out walking on Friday there was a McDonald’s bag left in the middle of a turning point along a country road, still with a lot of chips in, and rolls, along with the plastic bottles and cans. I did pick it up along with other cans and plastic bottles which had been left there.

Then when I walked down to the A40 on Sunday I saw a McDonald’s cone in the road. Now correct me if I am wrong but I believe we are about 15 – 16 miles away from a McDonald’s and if we are getting the packaging discarded in our beautiful countryside now, when we live that distance away, what will happen when we have yet another fast food outlet in Ross, for yet more packaging to be discarded?

Our verges are an absolute disgrace, why can’t people who have purchased food and drink, transported it in their cars, eaten and drunk it, then take the packaging home and recycle it? If you live in Herefordshire we have a lovely green bin to use, just lift the lid and drop it in. It is very sad that the actions of few spoil things for the majority. Normally I would have no objection to seeing McDonald’s in Ross, not that I would be going in there. But this lack of consideration from some members of the community, will, I can see, result in even more rubbish being discarded from vehicles.

Nicola Hall

Ross-on-Wye