I am writing to respond to E Chow's letter (Beautification process might grind to a halt, June 26) about the lack of evidence of an improving environment around Croydon.

The assertion that "we are back to a grubby litter-strewn town" suggests to me that E Chow has spent little time around Croydon and cannot see the efforts made by the Labour run Council to improve our environment.

As I have lived for over seven years in Fairfield, one of the busiest Wards in the Borough, I have seen clear benefits of the emphasis placed by the Smarter Croydon initiatives. The Labour Council has made real differences to cleaning up the streets.

On the particular point raised by your reader about flower beds in Fairfield Ward. Daily, I walk to work past the raised flower beds at the Taberner House end of Barclay Road and they are regularly tended to, planted up and kept in good conditions by our Council workers.

Likewise, the large roundabout complex where Wellesley Road meets Park Lane is kept in good order. No signs of neglect.

So, as resident of Fairfield, I have complete confidence in the Labour Council's efforts in improving our environment for the next four years.

In the meantime, I would suggest that E Chow should become a Street Champion and contribute to improving the environment !

Paul Parkinson

St Peters Road

Croydon

July 10, 2002 11:00