The massive hike in parking charges in Brighton and Hove is outrageous, yet another way to help balance the books of an inefficient council run by grossly overpaid, mediocre people.

The council plays directly into the hands of the superstores, who can offer free and abundant parking.

Do councillors envisage a world where city centres are empty and derelict and shopping outings, coffee meetings, lunch groups and socialising takes place at Tesco or Asda?

Are we, the public, to be turned into zombies?

-Jennifer Greig, Southwick