Thanks for all the bandstand rust coverage in The Argus.

However, it highlights a much bigger problem.

The lame excuses trotted out by council representatives and others about why the bandstand is rusting only point to a much bigger issue: that the council consistently uses contractors who give us poor value for money. Who on earth signs this work off?

I work in the shipping industry and have been involved in numerous vessel refits involving the total repainting of a ship’s hull.

This involves a paint system that will guarantee a healthy hull for the next five years. Of course, this doesn’t come cheaply but it does make sense in the long term, otherwise shipping companies wouldn’t do it.

The cast iron railings and most of the Victorian architecture on our seafront that is so much a part of our city’s character is being neglected.

Layer upon layer of cheap paint is being slapped over rust instead of a bit of chipping and scraping. It’s a total waste of money.

David Flack, St Leonards Road, Hove