With reference to your River Cuckmere article, Mr Newton is absolutely right (The Argus, August 18).

Since my boyhood in Brighton and as a frequent visitor the Cuckmere Valley has always been of a unique beauty.

The Cuckmere is different from other Sussex rivers in that it breaches the South Downs right at the sea.

I had not considered the effort that had gone into the maintenance of the river channel itself over the past 150 years.

However, a temporary phase of the local geomorphological process has been halted by Man for his benefit.

A far more threatening problem for the Cuckmere estuary will have to be confronted in the not too distant future.

If the relative sea level rises, as may be anticipated within the next 50 years, the sea will gradually eat its way towards the Weald irrespective of Man's efforts unless a sea wall and lock system are constructed.

Why not continue to maintain and enjoy the river as it is for as long as possible? I am sure that this can be achieved without creating eyesores.

I would suggest the Government's rationale of allowing mudflats to form and the consequent arrival for Godwhits and other long-legged marsh birds, which can only be viewed with the aid of binoculars, not to mention providing another habitat for lug worms and rag worms and non-traversable mudflats, is a glib opiate to avoid spending on what Government agencies may already perceive as a losing battle.

-Dudley Seifert, Aurora, Colorado, USA