What a pity Anthony Seldon and Lord Bassam, while being happy to give their views on park-and-ride, were not interested enough to attend the meeting where the decision was made.

They would have heard that the Conservatives were unable to support the proposed scheme because the officers in their very detailed report clearly stated the site proposed would have been full up each morning by 8am.

They further stated that there would not be a dedicated bus service outside the peak hours so even if a potential visitor to Brighton was able to find a space, he or she would have had to wait for a number 5 bus to come along.

The main purpose of a park-and-ride scheme is to attract the tourist and shopper to the city. Such a scheme should be of a sufficient size to command a dedicated bus service.

The proposed scheme plainly fails in this regard. Sussex Enterprise estimated a 900-car scheme would have generated 40,000 further visitors to the city but this half-baked scheme would have had no meaningful effect.

If blame has to be placed, it should be laid fairly and squarely at the feet of the Labour administration which tried to force through a scheme which was unfit for its purpose.

At the meeting, the Conservatives were joined by the Greens and the Liberal Democrats who also thought the scheme was unacceptable. I make no apology for opposing the Patcham Court Farm scheme and am prepared to live with the consequences.

Residents throughout the city will have a chance in 2007 to register their opinions on our views and decisions.

We will continue to represent all the residents in the city and will not be afraid of opposing schemes which, in our view, fail to deliver.

-Councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn, leader of the opposition, Brighton and Hove City Council