With regard to the letter from the Alan Hutchings of the Mitcham Independent Party (Were Traders well advised? March 5) and similar hilarity from John Mansfield of the so-called 'Mitcham Society' (a political group opposed to the regeneration), it is worth pointing out that more than 75 per cent of the local community support Councillor Andrew Judge's regeneration project in Mitcham. And, as has already been reported in this newspaper, by me; as a result of New Labour's project we are currently seeing the highest start-up rate of new companies in Mitcham's entire history. Over 400 new companies set up their businesses in Mitcham last year. In contrast to the steady decline in business during the period of the Tory administration in Merton.

Also, it isn't true that shopkeepers are unable to accept deliveries because of the building work, there is plenty of space available. I go shopping in Mitcham every Wednesday so I know exactly how wide are the public footpaths. Prior to the building work no lorries were allowed to park on the Fair Green anyway, so why this silly complaint?

The ghastly Fair Green is an ugly clump of grass with no redeeming features, that is currently being converted into a pleasant tree-lined avenue with easy bus access to the developing Mitcham shopping centre, and a larger space for our increasingly popular market.

Unlike the Tories, whose slash-and-burn policies have created, since 2010, the largest level of government debt in British history New Labour believes in investing in commercial infrastructure. That is the true key to wealth creation and well-payed jobs. A policy that works, as is now self-evident in Mitcham, Colliers Wood and also, very shortly, the business centre of Wimbledon.

Tony Blair is gone but his legacy of New Labour lives on in Merton. A legacy of investment in our magnificent and essential business community.

Michael Barltrop,

Management Committee, Mitcham and Morden Labour Party

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