I RECENTLY visited friends with a holiday home at Hartford Marina. It was my first visit to Hartford for some time, and I can honestly say I was shocked at the state of the marina as a whole. Once a jewel in the heart of Cambridgeshire, the site is now ru

I RECENTLY visited friends with a holiday home at Hartford Marina. It was my first visit to Hartford for some time, and I can honestly say I was shocked at the state of the marina as a whole.

Once a jewel in the heart of Cambridgeshire, the site is now run down, shabby and roads almost non-existent over much of it. Huge pieces of concrete - apparently dumped - and other building materials are strewn around the marina.

Where once there were manicured lawns and well-kept willows, there is now little to commend it. Fortunately, I don't have a property at Hartford Marina, but I can imagine how upsetting it must be to have such a dramatic fall in standards in the place you live or take your leisure.

I had to register somewhere my distress that such a wonderful natural environment and asset to the area has fallen into such a pitiful state. What was once a joy to behold is now little more than a trailer park. I can't imagine what the council was thinking of when permission was given to pile caravan after caravan onto the smooth and attractive waters of Hartford.

ELIZABETH BRADLEY, Grays, Essex