Like Neil Spellings (Letters, February 14) I too am dismayed with the lack of care in Purley.

I moved from Bexley to Purley in August and have been nothing but disappointed with Croydon Council, in particular their lack of kerbside recycling compared to other boroughs.

The amount of litter along Warren Road and the road leading up to the back entrance of Purley station is disgusting, particularly on the verges leading down to the Godstone Road.

The place must be over-run by rats. Then there is the unfinished road works at the junction with Godstone Road and Downscourt and Warren Road where boards and cones have been left in the middle of the road for a long time.

Obviously, Croydon Council is trying to make improvements but I think they have a long way to go. Over the last three weeks I have tried to contact my Streetscene' officer, as advised in their leaflet which also makes various promises regarding speed of response to inquiries.

The first time I called, the operator seemed confused as to why I was even calling the number and why I was asking for him. Twice I have left my number for him to call me back and have heard nothing.

After the first week in my new house a refuse collector damaged my front wall. I wrote to the council, who passed me on to their subcontractor, who passed me on to the insurer who denied responsibility.

So even though I pay my council tax to Croydon council and they choose to subcontract their waste collection, they are refusing to help me and have just passed me off to a subcontractor who passed me on to the insurance company.

I find it infuriating that I have to call Streetscene' to ask for help or request that the simple services that should be covered by our extortionate council tax such as litter collection be carried out.

ANNA HOPWOOD received by email