MAYBE I have misunderstood the debate about the banning of vans from household rubbish disposal sites, but my understanding was that householders could use them, regardless of what type of vehicle they turned up in.

The criterion, I understood, was that the attendant had to be satisfied that the van contained household waste, which can be disposed of free of charge, as distinct from commercial, industrial or trade waste for which a charge is made.

Perhaps Councillor D Pearson (Letters, April 18) can clarify this point. Also, perhaps he can supply figures relating to the decline of vans delivering trade waste to these sites and the number of vans actually turned away to back up his claim that the ban has led to an increase in dumping.

L LAWES, Bold Street,

Blackburn.