After reading Councillor Osborne's letter, particularly his boast the Lib Dems have "ploughed extra money into street cleaning" I have the following comments.

My street is scheduled to be swept every fortnight.

However, I only receive a street cleaning service if I complain to the council and threaten not to pay for a service I am not receiving.

On top of this, on the two occasions when a road sweeping crew has been sent out, I have had to call the council to complain about the service (or lack of it) and have them sent back to do the job properly. All this and a £16 a month increase in community charge is not value for money.

I have a 20-minute walk to work every morning and I can tell Councillor Osbourne the streets I walk down do not show evidence extra money has been ploughed into street cleaning.

Ideally, I would like to receive the fortnightly service for which I pay without having to complain to the council the service has not been forthcoming.

Valerie Jenner

New Malden

May 30, 2003 10:00