On a recent visit to town, my route took me through The Cloisters and into the Market Square where I paused to witness the laborious task in hand to remove the mass of discarded chewing gum from the paved walkway.

It occurred to me that the cost to employ the contractor with his specialised steam-generating equipment to counter this unhygienic and rather unsociable habit has to be an unnecessary drain on our council’s already limited resources.

As I made my way back to the car park later in the morning I paid particular attention to the pavements in the town centre, and realised just how prolific the problem has become.

However, after observing the obvious resilience and hard-wearing properties of second-hand chewing gum, perhaps we could encourage Cambridgeshire County Council’s highways department to utilise this remarkable product in their repair programme to resurface our appalling local road system.

Even though it might take some considerable time to produce the required amounts, it would probably still be quicker than their existing resurfacing schedule. Regrettably I would be unable to contribute to such a scheme as I am required to maintain my remaining two teeth for nutritional necessities.

ANTHONY VENABLES

Ely