Thank you for highlighting the limitations of Croydon's recycling centres (Disposal queues are down to the weather, Croydon Guardian, May 9).

I have had bad experiences at Purley Oaks and basically given up on the journey. Having only three recycling centres for London's most populated borough seems to be the problem.

That, and restricted collections at local centres and kerbsides. Hopefully our kerbside service will improve later this year.

I try to take plastics and cardboard to Purley Oaks once a month. It's a 10 mile round trip, costs 95p a litre in petrol, in heavy, congested traffic, with no other facility nearby.

On my last trip there were long queues north and southbound to get in and roadside parking was prohibited. The skip was full.

It was suggested I repeat the journey later or drive on further to Factory Lane for a repeat long wait. I felt insulted. I did neither. Like most consumers faced with poor service, I went elsewhere.

Sutton and Surrey provide better local collection points and a recycling centre which provides bags if a skip is full. Effort is rewarded and I go back again, regularly. They also have local shopping centres nearby to justify the journey more.

We need more services, broader based across the borough, if people are to be convinced about recycling. Not the frustrating game of chance that's currently provided at personal expense.

MRS G SMITH
Wilhelmina Avenue
Coulsdon