I recently received a letter from a constituent in East Saltdean.

I gather from the letter she is a widow but unfortunately she does not give a name and address, hence my letter, in the hope she reads The Argus.

She suggests the money Lewes District Council is spending on challenging the Falmer decision should be spent on the roads and pavements in the area. She rightly points out they are in a deplorable state.

I absolutely agree with her - the roads and pavements in East Saltdean are in a shocking state.

However, they are not the responsibility of Lewes District Council but that of Conservative-controlled East Sussex County Council (ESCC).

I understand, with three tiers of councils, it can be confusing as to "who does what".

In April 2003 I was informed by ESCC there was only enough money to replace kerbs in one road a year in the Peacehaven, Telscombe and East Saltdean area.

As recently as December 2005, I emailed the appropriate department at ESCC as well as local county councillors, drawing their attention to the deteriorating condition of the roads and pavements in the area.

The situation regarding funding clearly has not altered.

I do hope the lady will take up this matter with her county councillors.

I am sure she will be equally incensed by the imminent closure by ESCC of Downlands day care centre, a much-needed facility used by elderly residents from East Saltdean to Newhaven. I hope she will sign the petition against its closure, which can be found in the Volunteer Bureau and other shops in Longridge Avenue, Saltdean.

-Councillor Liz Lee, Lewes District Council