COUNCIL leader Nancy Platts seems to be hell bent on changing our already overwhelmed local road structure to the detriment of those using motor vehicles, as illustrated in her recent Argus column.

Twice she repeats herself in the article stating, since Covid-19 and the lockdown we are cycling and walking more due to the way we live and that the number of cars on the road has fallen significantly. Err, no.

It’s because 80 to 90 per cent of people have had no work to go to, the kids and students have had no education being provided for them in schools, colleges and universities, we’ve had some rather marvellous weather and to boot and been told only essential car journeys outside of home were permitted.

Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t be walking or cycling given those factors, being able-bodied and restricted to staying indoors for most of the day?

But this affront to vehicle drivers has to stop. Co-existence of all modes of transport is the answer.

Why not put some people counting on the temporary Old Shoreham Road cycle lane alterations and measure over a half day the ratio of bikes/cars, then present the case to the public, with some backed-up data, to the justification and logical reasoning to make vehicle drivers using the road, contend with even more clogged-up traffic than they are used to.

More fuel getting used, more air pollution.

More frustration.

I’m beginning to think this council doesn’t actually listen to the public and have their own personal ideas as to what they want to do. That cannot be the case. They are elected and appointed to serve the public.

I’ve even thought about a party being set up to counter a lot of this nonsense.

It would be called the Silent Unheard Majority (SUM) party.

She adds in the article “we want to properly protect our residents, visitors and those who work in Brighton and Hove from any further outbreak of Covid-19”.

Really? I’ve heard that our council leader did indeed attend the recent BLM protest at The Level, as she commented about it.

Perhaps, after the key note speeches, she could have asked the organisers for the megaphone and politely addressed the 8,000 to 10,000 strong crowd, to immediately consider disbanding and leaving the area, as such a gathering is not permitted under Government guidelines and is considered to be a considerable Covid-19 health risk and that Brighton Lives Matter.

Gordon White Portslade