Trying not to sound too much of an "anorak", I have to disagree with Mary Funnell in her letter stating there were "never any sign of railway sidings" at London Road station (Letters, February 13).

In a book, South Coast Railways, Brighton to Eastbourne by Mitchell and Smith, published in 1985, there is a map dated 1911 showing three sidings to the north (up) of the line, and a single siding to the south (down).

There is also a photograph, unfortunately undated but taken between 1923 and 1948, showing at least two sidings to the north.

There is another photograph, dated "about 1860" in a book by John Betjeman entitled Victorian and Edwardian Brighton, published in 1972, showing a distant view of what appear to be carriage sheds at the station.

I have no doubt there are more knowledgeable people out there who could supply more details.

I'm not sure what effect this will have on the outcome of the planning appeal but I thought the record should be put straight.

  • Dave Clements, Brighton Model Railway Club New Church Road, Hove

While agreeing wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed by both Jean Calder and Mary Funnell regarding the destruction of so much that makes Brighton beautiful, the reason no railway sidings were evident on the 1860 map was that London Road station wasn't opened until October 1, 1877.

There were indeed three carriage sidings on the north side of the line which were obviously dismantled prior to Mary moving to the area in 1953.

As the allotments have been established for well over 50 years, the developers are grasping at straws to justify their application.

  • Phil Hamerton, Cissbury Way Shoreham