REGARDING your article on the result of your poll on whether people would pay extra council tax for more extensive gritting (LET, February 6), and Councillor Bill Taylor's attempts to politically exonerate himself by the telephone vote, as I am sure he is aware (and I apologise if I have assumed incorrectly), the general consensus is not one of acceptance but of disbelief.

The council tax -- for many of Blackburn with Darwen's population -- is already high; and if we are to believe the media, is due for another substantial increase.

It is not that we do not want the roads gritted. We do not vindicate you, Coun Taylor. We do want them gritted -- we are just fed up with paying more and more and more.

I have often wondered where my donation to the council loses itself, what I am paying for and whether this is a compulsory payment or whether I can make other arrangements regarding such amenities, therefore reducing my council tax bill.

Although I know I am being, to say the least, picky; but bear with me, it is only a hypothetical request to exemplify one of many reasons why I want my road gritted.

I already pay the council to grit my road, but due to funds not being ample Joe Bloggs down the road gets his done, but I don't.

Joe Bloggs receives the service he pays for, I do not. Why should I pay for a service I do not receive.

DESMOND TEASDALE, Ratcliffe Street, Darwen.