I HAVE been a resident of Malvern for some 10 years now and finally have had to put fingers to the keyboard to air some of the frustrations that have been mounting in the last few years.

Council taxes are going up and up at an alarming rate, while the amenities we are being taxed for are becoming virtually non-existent.

When the police station in Malvern was fully functional, it used to be a 'security blanket' for residents who could rely on prompt action should it be necessary. Now we have to rely on cover from Worcester, which does nothing for peace of mind when yob culture takes effect on virtually every good-weather evening, to say nothing of break-ins and attempted break-ins.

Now one can go weeks without seeing a policeman, let alone a police car on patrol.

The loss of the only traffic warden has meant Malvern has returned to total chaos on the roads with absolutely no regard for double yellow lines.

St Ann's Road is a hazard at best now to drive along. I would hate to think of the consequences should it be necessary for a fire truck or ambulance to try and drive through.

After almost eight weeks of road resurfacing in various parts of town (and more to come I hear whisper), many markings have still not been restored and roadwork clutter (signs, cones etc.) uncollected. Where double yellow lines should be, they are totally non-existent.

Wheelie bins are a huge cost for a system that surely cannot work, given the storage area in most homes? Can our tax money not be spent on something more efficient and leave homeowners to purchase their own wheelie bins, should they have the room to store them?

Finally, to add insult to injury, it is now proposed to have the Fire Brigade control centre moved out of Worcestershire altogether. Whose bright idea was this and for what reason and at what cost? For all this, we have huge increases in our council taxes looming. It all just does not add up!

Carol Stemp, St. Ann's Road, Malvern.