I was extremely disappointed to read Councillor Gill Mitchell’s irresponsible scaremongering about the safety of the newly restored Madeira Lift (The Argus, April 16).

I would like to reassure Coun Mitchell and the city’s residents and visitors that the lift is 100% safe and underwent rigorous testing before the opening. For her to insinuate that we would have allowed it to reopen without all the necessary safety checks is plainly ridiculous.

In fact, the temporary stopping of the lift is caused by an enhanced safety feature which has been installed to stop people getting too near the doors when the lift is in operation.

Coun Mitchell should be delighted that residents and visitors were able to use the restored lift over the Easter break and I am sure that she would like to join me in praising all the hard work put in by officers to get it up and running in the tight timescale we set.

At the end of the summer season more improvements will be made, including refurbishing the lift car and restoring the rooftop ornamental griffins and a dolphin weather vane.

I am fully committed to preserving our wonderful seaside heritage, of which this Grade II listed lift is a fine example. In addition to the restoration of the lift, we have funded the restoration of the bandstand, improvements to the Volk’s Railway and a new programme of painting works to the railings.

These jewels in our seafront crown have been neglected for far too long and we are doing all we can to put that right.

Councillor Mary Mears Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council and Conservative member for Rottingdean Coastal Ward