IT is good news that the Labour group is attempting to save the Mazda Fountain, which used to be such an attractive entrance to the city centre.

In the same story (on May 27) it is disappointing The Argus has perpetuated the myth that Valley Gardens scheme will maintain four traffic lanes between St Peter’s Church and the Old Steine.

While this was contained in the original plan, later designs basically reduced this to a single lane in each direction.

This would almost halve southbound capacity, with much greater restrictions northbound.

Even if it was possible for traffic to run smoothly on a quiet weekday, at a quieter time of year (unlikely), then it is fairly certain to cause massive delays to traffic (and buses) at busier times of the year, sunny days, and most weekends.

The Conservative group is not known for its anti-bus, anti-car and anti-business viewpoint, so it is a surprise it has continued to support the heavily modified proposals.

Perhaps councillors were influenced by what could be regarded as misleading impressions, including that buses would gain from the proposal.

This is far from the case.

The local bus user group and the main bus company have substantial concerns over the modified proposal, because of the damaging unreliability problems buses would face from the massive congestion problems.

It is great the Labour group is trying to overturn these damaging proposals (but could be outvoted). There are alternatives.

Also it is important that the design and implementation minimises disruption, if the council is to avoid greatly undermining bus services. I believe the current design is not fit for purpose, unless the purpose is to bring the city to a standstill.

Peter Elvidge, Wish Road, Hove