With regard to the seafront trials (The Argus, August 23), there appears to have been some confusion between "public road" and "public highway" in this matter.
According to the Road Traffic Act 1930, which controlled the use of motor vehicles on the public highway at that time, "public highway" was defined as being "Any road or way to which the public have access, whether or not they have a right to be there".
Quite clearly, Madeira Drive comes within this definition and the police have every right to ban motor racing within the spirit of the Act.
Insofar as concerns a "public road", this was defined in the Vehicle Excise Act 1947 as being a road maintained at public expense and determined whether or not vehicles using them were subject to Vehicle Excise Duty, and it is of no significance if Madeira Drive is included in this definition or not.
-J E Ashdown, Down Terrace, Brighton
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