I write with reference to your article about revamping Newhaven Port (The Argus, October 8).

Does Oakdene Homes realise that before it spends money on homes and leisure facilities, it needs to spend money on making the banks and the quayside safe?

I worked at Newhaven Harbour for 30 years until I retired. Part of my job was putting piles on the face of the quay and concrete piles on the west bank at low tide.

Before they even attempt to build on the proposed site, they will have to put in steel sheeter piles and tye rods to hold up the banks.

To stop the area flooding, they need to go back to dredging (using bucket dredgers) the harbour inside and out. This will also stop the ferries from grounding out when they cross the bar.

In my opinion, this will also prevent the disastrous floods happening again at Lewes.

It worked in the old days.

-Mr N Ashdown, Newhaven