Despite their sustained campaign to prevent the pedestrianisation of George St, Hove, traders have had the good grace to admit the scheme has been a success.

So Brighton and Hove City Council, despite vociferous opposition, was justified in going ahead with it, convinced it was in the long-term interests of the people of Hove.

This I call leadership. Notwithstanding numerous electoral threats, they persisted with the plan to the present satisfaction of most people.

Just imagine the outburst there would be if the council was to suggest going back to the previous condition.

There is a moral lesson here. There are other measures - taken and proposed - which are arousing vocal opposition from vested interests.

Let us hope the council will continue to put the interests of the whole area before either party-political or parochial ones.

-R G Jenkins, Hove