I am disappointed a sector of the business community decided to stage a protest over parking charges that was designed to bring Brighton and Hove to a halt.

Their stated aim is to "get Brighton and Hove City Council officials out of their offices to talk to them" but council officers and elected members have indicated they are happy to talk to them and the first meeting has already taken place.

It resulted in a very reasonable request that the protestors put their objections in writing so there can be no confusion at a later date.

Under these circumstances, I wonder why they felt the need to continue with their action? Workers, shoppers, residents and visitors to the city were inconvenienced for no good reason.

Apart from the inconvenience to the travelling public, what would happen if we were to have another emergency like the fire in North Road?

How would 300 vehicles deliberately causing gridlock in the city affect the ability of the emergency services to get to a problem quickly?

A recent survey by BBC Radio 4 demonstrated that many of the professions and trades taking part in this action already have a poor reputation with their customers.

In terms of a negotiating ploy, their action was crass and only serves to drive their stock lower in the public's esteem.

This dispute can be settled by dialogue and disruptive direct action of this sort can only undermine that process.

-Anthony Mernagh, Brighton City Centre Business Forum, Pavilion Buildings, Brighton