Now much of the West Pier has finally slipped into the sea, it is evident the only support that could have sustained the structure was disastrously missing.

I am referring, of course, to public support.

In many respects, we are run from the top down, controlled by city officials whose modus operandi is to waffle and prevaricate, facing off against wealthy businessmen who know all the tricks of how to get what they want.

The result of what transpires between these two forces is foisted upon the supine public.

If there had been an energetic organisation of concerned citizens, large and loud enough to be reckoned with, the West Pier project would have been well along by now.

Letting a Grade I architectural treasure slip through its fingers shows how insincere is Brighton and Hove's pretence to be a city of culture and charm. This is a national loss, not just Brighton and Hove's.

All the reciprocal finger-pointing proves one thing: We are all guilty - the procrastinating city council, the disgustingly selfish Noble Organisation and us, the local residents, who are abjectly willing to let "the men at the top" make all the decisions and who are too apathetic to join together and enter the process.

-Stephen Silver, Hove Street, Hove