There's no doubt that bin-men the world over have to get used to early starts. Lewisham is no exception, and neither should it be. Thank goodness we're spared the night long refuse collection that routinely takes place in cities sur le continent.

But the facts are, they have a lot of refuse to collect from a lot of addresses. If they wait around for normal office hours to start before they go about their business, then just think how much longer their day would be? Sat in bumper to bumper traffic on Honor Oak Rd for example? Imagine how infuriated commuting motorists will feel being held up behind a bin lorry making frequent stops along the way?

The reality of the modern 'daily grind' for many of us is rising early for work. I have a neighbour who regularly departs the premises in his car at between 03.30 and 04.00. six days per week. And yes, this does wake me and others in my building.

When the bin men call at around 06.30 in my neighbourhood, and I'm disturbed by them, it must be my day off because I'm out of my bed by 06.00 at the start of my daily work routine.

I don't wish to diminish the frustration and annoyance experienced by those of us woken by noise, especially when we sooner sleep. But we're a district of Greater London, one of the worlds largest urban conurbations not a rural idyll.