Last Sunday, many Brighton families decided to have a day out in the glorious weather at Stanmer Park. The recent works to restrict parking to the now much smaller car parks - total capacity about 150 - left about 1,000 other cars to park wherever they could.

Some parked off the road on the east side of the park while others parked on the road, making it one lane only. This allowed traffic to flow until someone parked a jeep on the corner of the right turn above the house leading down to the church, facing a clear sign which stated: "keep clear - bus turning area".

The scheduled 2.30pm bus could not get around the corner without flattening the jeep.

Eventually, after many shunts backwards and forwards, the driver managed to carve away the bank of the turning area with the corner of the bus and proceeded on his route.

This incident led to the cancellation of the park bus service for the rest of the day, forcing passengers to walk the length of the park to catch a No 25 bus on the A270.

This situation was caused by the recent car park changes and "bund" mentality of Brighton and Hove City Council designed to keep a few joyriders and travellers off the grass. It was trumpeted as the restoration of an 18th century Grade II listed park. The old prints of the park do not show earth bunds and pole barriers. I am informed by English Heritage that its representative for the Brighton area is employed by the council.

  • Len Woodrup, Friends of Stanmer Park, The Brow, Woodingdean