I have considerable sympathy for the residents of Upper Gloucester Road who are complaining about the use of their street by buses.

As a frequent passenger between Brighton Station and St George's Road in Kemp Town, I am irritated by the devious route now followed by the number 7 bus.

Traditionally, the number 7 ran down Queen's Road and turned left at the Clock Tower. This service was introduced in 1888 and operated by the horse buses of the Brighton, Hove and Preston Omnibus Company and was numbered 7 in 1916 by that company's successors, Thomas Tilling Ltd.

It was replaced by the 37 in the early 1980s and reintroduced as a "Busy Bee" minibus service via Upper Gloucester Road, Buckingham Road and Dyke Road a few years later.

Since then the minibuses have been replaced by larger and larger buses and we now have full sized double-deckers of several routes using these streets.

From a passenger's point of view the journey is uncomfortable because of the steep hills and sharp corners and I have nothing but respect for the skills of the drivers who have to negotiate them. Just to add to their difficulties, the council has added a "pinch-point" half way down Upper Gloucester Road.

Roger French of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company is quoted as saying, "Upper Gloucester Road is a key link between Brighton Station and Churchill Square" (The Argus, February 2).

I hardly think anyone travelling between these points would choose this route, preferring to use Queen's Road (as does the number 6 bus) to avoid the hills.

There are only two bus stops on this hilly section and hardly anyone uses them. It would be preferable to operate a better service via Dyke Road. Older Brightonians will remember the number 38 which ran every 10 minutes up Dyke Road.

-Peter Bailey, Brighton