What a shame a few people were so negative about the closure of the crumbling seafront paddling pool as Brighton and Hove Council prepares to build a new one (Argus, Sept 6).

We are not closing the existing pool because it was too expensive to run alongside the new one. We never intended running the two together and said so months ago.

Funds for running the old one will be transferred to the new one. We have had not a single complaint about the plan.

The pool normally closes at this time of year anyway, as do the nearby toilets, which are seasonal. Work should start on the new pool, just west of Alfresco's restaurant, at the end of September. It will open at the usual time next summer, so the kids will miss not one second of paddling.

-Councillor Jackie Lythell, Chair, seafront task group, Brighton and Hove Council