I am concerned about the reporting and the inevitable public reaction to the concept of a congestion charge for Brighton and Hove.

The problem with headlining it as “Congestion charge on agenda” (The Argus, December 12) is it has elicited an over-reaction and a one-sided one to boot.

I was at the full council meeting on December 10 and the issue of a possible congestion charge was discussed in the context of a range of possible traffic solutions.

The amendments submitted by the combined opposition parties relating to transport within the Core Strategy were for the purpose of opening the way for other travel modes than private vehicles and traffic reducing options, of which a congestion charge is only one.

Such a charge would, if deemed necessary and effective following a proper study, become a reality way down the line once other schemes like park and ride are running.

For The Argus to have highlighted the congestion charge as if it were an imminent extra tax during a period of recession and the Christmas season was most unfortunate.

Christina Summers, Tivoli Crescent, Brighton

BECAUSE Brighton and Hove City Council has covered two-thirds of the city with resident parking bays and pay and display, plus all the other forms of making money, the congestion charge would be a double whammy. Hand motorists extra costs and they will find elsewhere to go. A congestion charge would be another nail in the coffin for the business people in the city. Many areas did not want resident parking bays and pay and display, but the council bulldozed them through anyway, so the congestion charge will be just a formality. Richard Benton asks where and when this scheme is going to stop (The Argus, December 16)? I am still waiting for the council to at least reply. Mr C P Humphrey, Melrose Avenue, Portslade