How my heart sunk when reading councillor Brian Oxley's comments on the front page (The Argus, May 25), especially coming the day after your straw poll showing most people want the excellent New Road scheme to be totally pedestrianised and letters which argued the same for George Street in Hove.

When will coun Oxley and his colleagues realise there is not an action plan on the planet which will "get the city moving" if it involves giving free reign to motorists?

Demand for car travel is unlimited and the only way to get the city moving is with cheap, frequent and reliable public transport, coupled with improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.

Where is the evidence that coun Oxley's "action plan" will do anything other than send a signal to motorists that it's now a free-for-all for cars in Brighton and Hove, encouraging even more people to drive? And why does coun Oxley think those who choose to drive in the city should be given greater rights than other users of our streets - whether on foot, on bikes or on the bus?

Setting aside the colossal waste of public money of removing the bus stop build-outs, has coun Oxley had any discussions with Roger French or the Brighton and Hove Bus Company about this new plan? Has he canvassed the views of older bus users, buggy and wheelchair-bound passengers, who find such facilities invaluable?

Is coun Oxley a supporter of the Quality Bus Partnership, which, against the national trend, has seen continual improvements in the bus service and passenger numbers in Brighton and Hove?

Lastly, is coun Oxley a member of the same Conservative Party that is now lead by David Cameron under the slogan "Vote Blue, Go Green."?

  • Stephen Young, Brighton and Hove Living Streets