What is the matter with us mortals? We are being got at from every which way by the very people that we elect to look after our interests. And then there are those who don't mind taking our hard-earned cash for little return.

Brighton and Hove City Council is coining it in with all those parking fines issued every day, let alone fines issued over the two recent bank holidays. And just what are they doing with all those thousands of pounds?

Our roads are in a mess and getting worse all the time. The reason for this is all the holes they keep digging everywhere. As soon as they fill one in, they are off down the road a bit to start digging another.

Some fillings are raised, while some others subside, sometimes quite considerably. There appears to be no end to this mysterious activity. Most road surfaces are "patched" rather than a complete resurface. Why? Because they cannot afford it, or is it, I begin to wonder, that they are trying to wear our cars out?

Then there is this business regarding wheelie bins. I can't believe what I read - microchips in wheelie bins!

What for? To weigh our rubbish as it is deposited in the bin, and possibly charge us for excesses in rubbish?

Well, it begs me to wonder what the hell we are paying our council taxes for. Oh I forgot, it's to pay for the microchips.

The problem is that the population is increasing, which in turn leads to more housing needs, but the various amenities don't look to the future and expand likewise.

They build more houses, but where is all the water going to come from, and who is going to collect al the extra household waste, and where is everyone going to park, especially at the proposed King Alfred site?

The water companies still want us to conserve, and rightly so, but not to allow them time to get alternative supplies in case mother nature fails us, but to make sure there is enough for the new households!

All in all, I wonder what is in store for us in the future. All I can foresee is more chaos.

I'm sick of the regular traffic jams, the roadworks, the pot-holes, so I will not venture into Brighton in my car and when I have an urgent need to do so it will be by bus.

My pleasure visits are no more, so when one thinks about it, this is exactly what the council is trying to do - keep us out.

Ron Deeks The Drive, Southwick