Why is the decision by Lewes District Council to suspend abseiling at Bastion Steps, Peacehaven, a "great shame" (June 30)?

Because it's a waste of public money.

Council officers have already spent 12 months "researching" and compiling reports for elected members and now they have been directed to spend a further 12 months doing the same.

What can these officers, funded by taxpayers, add to what has already been said? The facts about abseiling on our chalk cliffs are completely straightforward.

Large areas of the chalk cliffs are fragile. They are completely unsuitable for climbing or abseiling because of the risk of dislodging rocks.

They also provide an important nesting site for birds, including the peregrine falcon.

Activities should be prohibited at virtually every point along the cliffs, without question, but with one very important exception, the cliffs at Bastion Steps, Peacehaven.

Here, the cliff does not need protection and is uniquely ideal for abseiling.

The chalk cliff has been cut back by machine, removing the loose surface and eliminating any risk whatsoever of rock fall.

There are no ledges for our feathered friends to live on (English Nature itself reported to the council that it has no concerns about abseiling having any effect on nature conservation at this location).

The site is beyond Peacehaven itself so participants in organised abseil cause no disturbance to local residents (they don't park on residential streets or pass close by anyone's property).

In the three years prior to the suspension, approximately 600 people took part in sponsored abseil events at Bastion Steps, raising more than £15,000 for local charities including the British Red Cross and the Brighton Heart Support Trust, all highly successful, incident-free events.

The council has a regulatory system in place that ensures any organiser is professionally qualified and properly insured.

The activity has received the support of local residents and Des Turner MP, who took part in a fundraising event in 1999.

Abseiling is an excellent way of involving local people, young and old, in a challenging activity that both builds personal confidence and raises valuable funds for local charities.

There is no alternative site in the area for this activity.

I urge Lewes District Council to take account of the facts and review its decision.

If the suspension remains in force, there will be only losers.

Local people, local charities and local disadvantaged youngsters will all lose out. Let's not let that happen.

-Paul Jarvis, Adventure Unlimited, Brighton