I’m sure I wasn’t the only person outraged by last Saturday’s front page covering Brighton and Hove City Council’s funding of the i360 viewing tower (The Argus, January 18).

Surely this cannot be possible. There is a reason why no private finance can be acquired: it is unlikely to achieve the inflated figures predicted. These figures assume the tower would be in constant use, 365 days a year, with a full platform on each run. If private backers won’t bite, why on earth is our council prepared to take out a £36 million loan to fund it?

Why should Marks Barfield be given this public money? They will benefit from having this project to put on their portfolio, regardless of the financial reality, which, of course, they can walk away from.

If the council wishes to take on such a loan, it should be for the benefit of Brightonians. There are many things which are all more important than this ridiculous scheme.

Finally, where are these 800,000 projected visitors going to park?

Penny Hajduk, Manton Road, Lower Bevendean

All reasonably minded taxpayers must be shocked by the news that the Greens now wish to more than double their earlier proposed loan towards the i360 to £36 million.

This at the same time as the Greens propose to a referendum on our tax. The i360 should be included in this so we can be consulted.

Your editorial on this subject rightly sums up that the council must remember it has a duty to taxpayers to spend money wisely. This is not a bold move, it is barmy.

The expected number of visitors to the i360 has always been exaggerated, as are the projected benefits. Private enterprise has withdrawn its backing for the simple reason that the viability does not add up to make a satisfactory return.

It will be the taxpayers who suffer when the project goes into liquidation, which I predict is inevitable.

Colin Beard, Goldstone Crescent, Hove

I was dismayed to read that the council is giving new financial support to the i360.

This ginormous post will dwarf and diminish the famous seafront architecture and provide what? A brief up and down trip in a big doughnut for views of slate roofs and vistas not so different from what can be seen from the ground.

If money can be found for this dull telegraph pole, why not for a recreation of the beautiful and cruelly destroyed West Pier where folk could linger above the waves as in the past and enjoy our fantastic world heritage panorama from Worthing pier to the Seven Sisters?

I feel if it is built people will ask: “What was that all about?” But our city will be stuck with it.

Ken Standing, Hangleton Road, Hove

I spy with my little eye, something beginning with i, for inappropriate, irresponsible, idiotic, incredulous and so on.

The only view needed is one which will give a vision of renewed hope and trust to a city which is failing its mentally ill, its young people, its children and families.

If £36 million can be found, the i360 should be put on the shelf until the city has housed its homeless, helped the hungry and healed the sick.

For much less, we could have a new educational equestrian centre to promote tourism and reduce violence on our streets. Seafront horse-drawn carriages are a huge hit elsewhere and give people jobs they enjoy. A viewing tower, though, for what? I don’t think so.

Jacqueline Madders, Chalkland Rise, Brighton

I have never heard of such a ridiculous waste of money. And then to take down the Brighton Wheel, which probably cost a bomb, too.

I lived in Brighton all my life up until 2009. I’m glad I pay my rates to another council now.

Jackie Watson, Cairo Avenue, Peacehaven

What a waste of money! It’s amazing that money can be found for this enterprise whereas there was no money forthcoming to save the West Pier. We should be conserving what we have left.

The arches on the seafront are a prime example – we need to make sure they will be there for years to come. Brighton has the wheel – can’t that suffice?

Linda Strickland, Offington Lane, Worthing