New census figures show that nearly 40 per cent of households in Brighton and Hove have no access to a car or van.

This figure is some ten per cent above the national average and may be higher in the city centre.

Despite this, the vast majority of road space remains allocated to private car use.

This makes a mockery of Tory cries that there is somehow a "war" on motorists. If walking, we are squeezed on to often-congested pavements.

If we travel by bike or motorcycle, we have to take our chances as vulnerable road users by sharing road space with cars.

And if we travel by public transport we have to tolerate a good deal of abuse of dedicated bus lanes by private motorists.

All the more reason, therefore, to press on with Brighton and Hove City Council's radical transport agenda that aims to promote more sustainable travel.

The council has, to date, spent some £2 million in partnership with Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company on real-time information at bus stops.

It makes no apologies for pressing ahead with new bus lanes and priority measures.

In making the city a safer place to walk, the council plans to follow successful pedestrianisation schemes, such as George Street and Duke Street, with pavement widening in Church Road and elsewhere.

-Coun Simon Battle, Transport Spokesman, Brighton and Hove City Council