I have to protest against the new diktat from the green Brighton and Hove City Council that on-street car parking charges may only be paid by mobile phone or by visiting a registered shop, which may well be a long distance away.

By personal choice, I do not own a mobile phone, and do not see why I should be forced, against my will, to purchase one of these things at considerable cost.

I do recall that in pre-meter days, 30 years ago, we purchased parking scratch cards. This was an efficient and user-friendly procedure.

If the council is hell-bent on bringing in the new technology, which will no doubt be subject to many breakdowns and glitches, perhaps they might consider that some of the residents who they are elected to serve may either have no wish to join the phone-carrying flock or may not be able to, due to being unable to use them.

One of the definitions of green is ‘inexperienced and naive’. How very appropriate.

And, incidentally, mobile phone is a misnomer, it should be called a portable phone.

Ivor Sorokin, The Spinney, Hove