Ken Bodfish, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, and Simon Fanshawe, chairman of Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, laid the blame for the total traffic gridlock on June 20 on the railway companies (The Argus, June 21).

This is nonsense. There were two reasons the city ground to a halt.

The London to Brighton bike ride caused many roads and access points into the city to be closed.

Secondly, the weather meant many more people flocked into Brighton.

Even when special trains did run to convey cyclists, such as last year, they could only cope with 5,000 of the 27,000 riders who took part. That left 22,000 to make their own way home.

At least 5,000 is better than nothing and it would be a shame if the rail companies were unable to sort out a solution for the future, and next year's ride in particular.

I am convinced, even if special trains had run on the day, there would still have been gridlock.

Mr Bodfish accused the rail companies of "failing their responsiblity" but perhaps the same sentiments could be applied to him because his response has been to immediately point the finger of blame elsewhere.

-Ken Mitchell, Haywards Heath