I read with interest your article describing the £1million windfall which Harrow Council has generated ('£1million windfall from traffic fines to go on services', Observer June 19).
While many will be annoyed that a main source of this windfall was 'traffic fines', my primary concern is that the council appears to be missing an opportunity to spend the money on local services which desperately need it.
In particular,the appalling state of the borough's road surfaces and the huge deterioration in the cleanliness of its pavements and footpaths urgently require additional investment: they get no mention in the list of 'priorities' in which it is intended to invest the windfall.
The general appearance of South Harrow and Harrow on the Hill, for example,had been improving great-ly until a year or two ago when the spending cuts were imposed; now they are becoming a 'blot on the landscape' and a local disgrace.
Meanwhile,the ironic incompatiblity of spending substantial amounts on encouraging tourists to visit the borough's 'attractions' will hopefully not be lost on council officials or our elected representatives.
NA SHRYANE
The Bursary Harrow School
High Street Harrow on the Hill
