Few people can honestly say they found learning to drive easy. It is becoming increasingly difficult as traffic levels increase.

The job of the driving instructor is, therefore, becoming more and more challenging.

If you were to supervise a new driver who had never driven before where would you take him?

You would probably want to find somewhere quiet - a place with few hazards and roads clear of obstructions such as parked cars.

In Brighton such places are few and far between. To the west of Brighton most instructors start pupils off in Hove Park, Hangleton and Shoreham Beach.

To limit inconvenience to others, quiet areas are also used for teaching manoeuvres.

Instructors are acutely aware their presence can cause some delay for other road users and disturbance to residents in quiet areas.

However, safety dictates the speed at which inexperienced drivers can perform certain tasks and the roads they can use.

Due to a campaign by residents in Hangleton Valley, instructors and examiners are avoiding this area where possible.

I am an instructor new to Brighton. Though I am led to believe there was a problem in the area with overuse by driving schools, this has since improved.

I use the area as little as I am able but when I have taken local people around the roads there, I have felt particularly unwelcome, experiencing strong verbal abuse on two occasions.

I have heard disturbing stories of road rage aimed at driving schools recently and have seriously considered self-defence classes.

Many thanks to all those who have the patience to allow others the privilege they experienced of being able to learn to drive in a safe and quiet environment.

My appeal is to those who have forgotten they once had L-plates.

-Sian Taylor, Portslade