Surbiton’s streets, roads and parks

To improve the look of this area, if possible, redidents  need to cut back shrubs and trees overhanging their boundary, remove weeds from pavements along their boundaries and sweep pavements and the road, if necessary, to clear leaves and any other rubbish.  The council does not seem to have the money to do this now. Some residents and their gardeners are blowing garden rubbish onto the pavement/road and leaving it there.  I believe this is against the law.  Some residents leave rubbish bins out for long periods, often they are blocking footpaths. Victoria Park along Balaclava Road needs  much sprucing-up.  The long path parallel to the rail track is overgrown with earth having fallen on the path.  An overhanging tree on the path near the play area urgently needs seeing to. This park was given a Mayors Award in 2011 but it certainly wouldn't receive one now!    If possible, more volunteer groups could take on gardening in public areas. Lastly the long shrubbery/flower bed that runs from the railway bridge by the YMCA and continues up the Brighton Road is in desperate need of regular work. It's full of weeds and overgrown shrubbery.  At one time even the bus stop was reached by overgrown  greenery. It would very much benefit from more planting of shrubs to keep some weeds at bay.   Surbiton town centre is a busy thriving place, with many more properties being built in the area.  Hopefully, with the addition of the extra council tax these properties will generate, more funds could be given up to these things. 
Any planning permission applied for by residents to widen the access to a new drive should involve the resident in compulsorily paying  for the crossover to their property also being widened, to prevent damaged grass verges which look unsightly. 
 

I think these ideas would improve the overall look of the Surbiton area and show that, once more, people can take the time to become more involved in the area where they live and take pride in it!