I sympathise with the correspondent who complains about the intrusive loudspeakers on the Palace Pier (Opinion, February 13).

I used to stroll on the pier every evening but as the level of compulsory noise has steadily increased over recent years I have had to forgo this pleasure. Even walking past the pier entrance can be a deafening experience.

Why does there have to be so much noisy piped music everywhere? One can't escape it these days - in shops, pubs, cafes, taxis or public concourses. Do people really want it? It's as if everyone is afraid of peace and quiet.

As for the West Pier, I remember the late Bryan Spielman, when chairman of Brighton West Pier Trust, was asked at a public meeting whether, when restored, the pier would have loudspeakers down it like the other pier.

He replied: "No, no, no, no!" I hope his successors on the trust will honour that pledge.

-Charles Newman, Manchester Street, Brighton