But it does not help that, to get into the city, visitors have to sit in a traffic jam for at least an hour and, when they eventually arrive, are faced with exorbitant parking charges if they are lucky enough to find somewhere to park.

They will also, inevitably, find plenty of roadworks on their journey in and also on the seafront during the summer season.

Whatever we are told about alternative transport, the majority of visitors want to travel by car and we need an up to date park-and-ride system to make their journey to our city a pleasant experience.

We call ourselves a forward thinking, vibrant city but we are all talk and no action.

We are brilliant at discussing, complaining and opposing but useless at actually getting something done - I would love to make a list but would need a four-page pull-out.

Let's start doing and get those visitors pouring in come rain or shine.

-Sue Addis, Donatello's