Yes, we would all like to see a blue flag flying on Brighton beaches. Regretfully, this will never happen while Southern Water operates in this area.

The suggestion was made, many years ago, that the outfall under the Palace Pier should be sealed off but Southern Water would not agree to this because it was said to be an emergency outfall.

If we look at a town such as Luton (as far from the sea as you could be), you will find the sewage farm works very well without having to deposit sewage on the surrounding countryside.

Why is it Southern Water needs to have long outfalls and emergency outfalls to cover all eventualities?

It was quite obvious when the previous sewage plant was designed it would need a contingency plan in the case of an emergency. This came very quickly and has remained with us ever since.

The method of transporting sewage to Telscombe Cliffs is more than 100 years old.

The position the plant occupies is unsuitable in this modern age when there are thousands of dwellings adjacent to the works.

When built, it stood alone except for the coastguard cottages and the 16th-Century house.

I regret to have to say this but, if local residents want clean beaches, a sewage farm will have to be built, away from the coast.

Those of us who opposed the siting of the upgraded Portobello sewage plant will again take up the cudgels unless Southern Water rethinks its policy.

-Doug Lawrence, East Saltdean