I had a great day out on the South Coast on Saturday. The weather was perfect.

Train to Eastbourne first, then it was the 13X double-decker to Brighton via Beachy Head. What an excellent bus trip that is.

Brighton was jolly and busy. However, Brighton seemed to be dressed for business in the autumn not August. There was too much closed off along the seafront - ugly, metal fencing up as if an invasion was imminent. Two flagpoles east of the pier had the last tatty remnants of flags flying - an image that, for me, became a metaphor for a city with a council that has lost its bucket and spade and buried its head in a sand castle.

One street going north from Marine Parade has a lovely postcard look but the view was completely spoiled by two ugly poles – street furniture – and a huge council wheelie bin.

The worst was to come. The charm of the Volk’s Electric Railway is somewhat lost because it looks run down.

So much of a once lovely long walkway and steps, between Marine Parade and Madeira Drive, is fenced off, its metal railings rusting away and certain evidence that Brighton’s Green politicians are rather green at looking after your great seaside resort.

When I joked about the tatty flags to a local in a pub, too ready was he to tell me that the Green Party council is only interested in cycle lanes and is pretty poor at recycling too.

Come on Brighton!

Lester May, Reachview Close, Camden Town, London