Local 'eyesores'

With regard to your lead article last month regarding the Rose & Young site, this seems to be going in the right direction regarding the awful eyesore which has blighted Croydon Road for about 18 years. However like most people who have lived in Caterham for years, "We'll believe it when we see it happen".

It is a shame though that the site cannot be developed to entertain the public, i.e. a cinema etc., as opposed to yet more des res or retirement homes. The next eyesore to sort out is that mess on the fork of Chaldon Road and Westway common in Caterhamon- the-Hill. I believe it was the old Pinewood Rover garage. The whole building was ripped down leaving just a long wall with broken windows and lumps of metal girders sticking up through the ground. It is an absolute eyesore. Can anyone tell me what is happening with that site?

Paul Duncanson, Caterham. Rose & Young

Having read the article about the Rose & Young site and being a regular visitor to the Valley I have to say I am a little surprised at Sally Marks' remark of 'almost anything'...

I also understand the rates have not been collected by the council for this site for numerous years. If that is the case I am not surprised that the owners were not interested in helping the community by letting them utilise the car parking area. This would also have some bearing on the fact they are not in any hurry to sell.

I do hope that it will not be just another block of retirement flats? It would be nice to try and encourage some business back to that end of the Valley, have shop units and parking, in fact even car parking space that could double up as a market place one day a week or month. The parking at this end of the Valley is dire at the best of times.

I will watch in anticipation and hope that someone with a little imagination will rescue this site.

Mrs L Barnett, Warlingham. 540 bus service

I was horrified to read of the proposal to withdraw the 540 bus service to East Surrey Hospital.

Although at present this is only a restricted service it is vital, being the only direct one through Chaldon to the hospital. To cut it completely would cause a lot of real hardship to so many residents who do not drive or own a car and therefore rely on it. I do sincerely trust this will be reconsidered.

Mrs N Keats, Caterham.

Christmas tree collection

The Rotary clubs of Caterham and Caterham Round Table raised £1,634.51 at their Christmas tree collection in Caterham and district. This amount was down on the 2009 collection due to snow forcing the cancellation of the collection on several nights. We are sorry for any disappointment this may have caused, but Santa and his sleigh will be back next Christmas!

All monies raised will go towards Rotary charitable causes.

Caterham Rotary Club