I write having just seen the pictures of the West Pier fire on the thisisbrightonandhove web site and being shocked at seeing what was such a beautiful pier ablaze.

I want to know when are the people responsible for restoring the pier going to get around to doing something?

I have followed the story in The Argus and understand the local residents' concerns and the delays for any developments along the shoreline and the obvious implications for their sea views and property prices. However, why has the pier restoration not started yet?

Surely the so-called planners could have started rebuilding the pier or at least have shored up the foundations by now?

As far as I am aware, it was to have been restored to its former glory and there are plenty of plans to that end. This could have been started years ago when the Lottery funding was first received.

This, of course, would mean the recent collapse would not have happened and, while it was going on, a suitable plan could have been drawn up.

I appreciate it is a slow process dealing with councils, planners, committees and consultations but for the sake of the West Pier, the people in charge of it should get off their backsides and either do it now or let someone else who actually cares about the future of the pier take charge.

I, for one, would love the opportunity to do so.

-Tom King, Garden Close, Sompting, Lancing