Streatham no longer has Britain's worst high street, according to a panel of judges on a BBC programme.

The panel of two architects and a comedian on UK's Worst, shown on BBC1 last Wednesday, decided Leatherhead was much worse.

But local campaigner Ann Savage, who appeared on the programme, disagreed. She said she nominated Streatham as one of the UK's worst high streets because of bad pavements, dangerous crossings, grubbiness, lack of good shops and traffic congestion.

She said: "The programme left a lot out and was not a true reflection of Streatham. The fact that Leatherhead is now billed as the worst road is not justified as Streatham has still not improved. The fact we have been rejected for the East London Line has not helped."

Brenda Hargreaves, from the Streatham Society, said: "We never thought Streatham High Street was the worst, although we know there are problems. There have been lots of improvements which are continuing."

BBC presenter Nick Knowles visited Streatham, voted to have the UK's worst high street last November on a BBC Radio 4 poll.

Mrs Savage showed him the overflowing bins and half-repaired pavements which she said pedestrians found impossible to negotiate.

But judges decided Leatherhead beat Streatham as the worst road, saying they thought the heart of the community had been ripped out by bad planning and poor pedestrianisation.

The news was welcomed by Lib Dem Deputy Leader and St Leonard's ward councillor, Brian Palmer, who said things were clearly getting better in Streatham. He said: "Lambeth Council has been working hard to improve street sweeping and has installed more litter bins along the high road."

March 27, 2003 11:31