Adam Trimingham was right when he said Brighton and Hove is the seafront star of Sussex (September 20).

But it is worth remembering the voices expressed in the Seventies against change and progress.

Had they succeeded, we would not now have such a thriving conference trade and buoyant holiday business.

Recently, there has been a similar unrealistic attitude to the new parking arrangements.

Yet, here again, there is a success story. Resident parking is improved beyond measure. Short-term, paid-for parking has freed spaces so a car can be parked for a while and then move on for others to take advantage of the vacant space.

Gone is the possibility of blocking a space for weeks on end or illegally parking on double yellow lines.

And the buses are freed to make journeys without inconsiderate drivers parking in prohibited areas.

The latest Luddite opposition is to the introduction of a modernising cabinet structure and city mayor.

Experience has shown council committees to be slow, ponderous bodies. No successful business could run with such a structure.

Sadly, many people still live in the past and refuse to recognise the need for change. Not change for change's sake but in order to take advantage of a more efficient way of running the council.

Without progress and innovation, we would not now be the successful city we are. Thank goodness for the existence of people of vision and imagination who move with the times.

A Yes vote is a vote for modernisation.

-Audrey Simpson, simpson@audrey.freeserve.co.uk