Brighton and Hove doesn't have park and ride because the council chose park and fine.

The council needs money so badly that it wants unwary motorists to drive right into the traps this city sets for them.

This financial dependence is increasing and will cloud the council's judgment on many issues. So too will its partnership with NCP, which (not unreasonably) wants to both fill its city centre car parks and go on collecting kerbside fines.

Together, their message about cars is clear: Bring 'em on!

If I am wrong, the council can easily prove it by showing that income from parking penalty tickets issued to motorists not resident in the city is only a small percentage of the overall take. And NCP might be able to show that its car park income comes almost entirely from residents.

Roger French (The Argus, February 2) is right to be frustrated by the failure to develop park and ride here.

He should approach John Prescott and argue that the council's addiction to park and fine and its partnership with the private provider of city centre car parks disqualifies it from properly considering the merits of alternatives to congestion on the A23.

There should be an independent review.

-Trevor Pateman, Brighton