CHANGES are fine, if they are for the better, but what has happened in Dagenham over the past few years seems to have the reverse effect. Select stores have upped sticks and shot off. Sainsbury s, W H Smith, H. Samuels. It s hard to believe that this b

CHANGES are fine, if they are for the better, but what has happened in Dagenham over the past few years seems to have the reverse effect.

Select stores have upped sticks and shot off. Sainsbury's, W H Smith, H. Samuels. It's hard to believe that this borough is Barking and Dagenham, Barking gets the face lifts whilst Dagenham gets new pavements at the Heathway.

The old Gateway supermarket next to Heathway station stands empty as though it's a listed property. Why not develop it within the confines of the station so that we can have our own little Fulham Broadway style station with a bit of class.

It's hard to believe that place sounding names have gone by the way. Dagenham Motors is now Barking Motors, and what are the chances that the Dagenham Town Show will be held this year in Billericay.

I suppose the proposed prison earmarked for Dagenham will add a certain welcoming feeling to those undesirables mentioned in the postbag letters May 6 "Borough of Undesirables" .

After years of flying the red flag for Labour you would think the voters were worth more than a Judas handshake.

Now that Australia has become more selective with who it takes in, I suppose London has to find somewhere to place those found guilty of stealing a loaf of bread.

A while back when those in power were debating the site for Euro Disney, Paris was approved over Rainham Marshes for fear of upsetting the wild life population.

Surely people come before wildlife, so why not put the prison on the marshes, then all the bird brains can be together.

I can't help feeling that there is something in the air and I wouldn't mind betting its aimed right at us in Dagenham.

When the stores start offering cheap air raid shelters I'm off.

R Mackman

Orchard Road Dagenham