7 JUNE 1969, Page 26

Spring offensive

Sir: One must of course feel sympathy for J. W. M. Thompson (Spectator's note- book', 30 May) in the loss of his 'delicious roadside flower show'.

But if, as seems likely, the retention of the present local government structure entails ever-rising rates, will he be pre- pared to pay far more to ensure that his own Chelsea show is not engulfed in con- crete?

Incidentally, our motorways—to many the epitome of 'heartless planning'— are fast becoming much more attractive than the majority of Britain's scruffy by- ways.