WHEN the Guarlford Road estate was built some 30 years ago, the vast majority of the pavements were laid with paving stones and only the final phases were tarmaced.

Not surprisingly, the slabs have lasted much the better of the two. Inevitably some have cracked, where cars drive over them, but the tarmac has deteriorated very badly indeed.

Imagine my surprise and horror when I saw that our cheapskate council is systematically replacing the slabs with tarmac, which I would imagine in 15 years or so will be in a poor state of repair.

Having seen my Council Tax increase every year by well in excess of the inflation rate, I believe the citizens of Malvern are entitled to expect their council to provide better value for money than it currently is doing.

DAVID CHAPMAN, Teme Avenue, Malvern.