I HAVE read issue 4 of the council s Neighbourhood Matters leaflet, some of which refers to improvement works. It includes a picture and article on the �60,000 worth of refurbishments that took place at Faircross Shopping Parade in Barking. Cllr Nirmal Gi

I HAVE read issue 4 of the council's Neighbourhood Matters leaflet, some of which refers to improvement works.

It includes a picture and article on the �60,000 worth of refurbishments that took place at Faircross Shopping Parade in Barking.

Cllr Nirmal Gill said: 'We wanted to improve the parade environment for residents and businesses. This will hopefully increase economic activity in the parade.'

It went on to say that before last summer, they had received funds from Transport for London for the work to repair pavements, replace broken fencing, instal new bollards and signs, and to improve the lighting.

I also read in the Post, January 14, a story headed 'Old rail line going live' concerning the Barking to Gospel Oak railway line.

TfL are responsible for running the line's trains, and in the article a spokesman is quoted as saying: 'We are exploring to see if there is any money available.

"We are doing preliminary studies, and once we know how much it costs, we will seek government funding."

My question is this: How come that TfL does not have sufficient funds for the Barking to Gospel Oak railway line, yet has sufficient money to assist Barking and Dagenham Council with its pavement repairs?

Derek Brown

Hurstbourne Gardens

Barking