AS AN occasional visitor to Brighton I’ve always felt well disposed to this city by the sea, not just for the wide vistas and beaches, but for its individuality, creativity, openness to new ideas and above all, its tolerance.

That is until this week when I fell into the trap of driving through a bus lane.

I turned off as soon as I realised, but by then it was too late. I’d been caught by a camera.

It was an easy mistake to make for a stranger - and I’m not the only one.

About 200 people a day don’t see the signs and end up being fined for driving in one of Brighton’s bus lanes.

I’ve paid my fine and contributed to the £2 million a year Brighton City Council collects in this way.

It’s a significant revenue stream. But what does this policy cost?

How many visitors like me have their trip to Brighton soured by coming home to a demand letter?

Some cities have mooted the idea of issuing first-time offenders with a warning rather than a fine.

What a great gesture, and what a brilliant bit of PR it would be for Brighton to carry through on this.

What better way to prove that Brighton really is a tolerant city that welcomes visitors and wants them to come back?

Aidan Hansell

Wallingford

Oxfordshire