The Argus reported on Wednesday that work on the i360 will start “soon” according to a recently published council report. However, with no confirmation received that the council’s £15m loan to the developer has been signed off, this really does seem like pie (or doughnut!) in the sky. The silence of the council and Marks Barfield speaks volumes.

It is pretty obvious that mobilisation for such a major project would take several months once the finance is finally in place and contracts between all the relevant stake-holders are agreed and executed. I would not expect to see any serious construction work to commence before the end of the year at the very earliest.

Perhaps more importantly, we have not been told how this project will be managed in terms of access to and from the lower promemade, and the effect this will have on the seafront as a whole.

I feel these major works, if they ever go ahead, may well be undertaken in the spring and summer months of 2014.

The only two options for large lorries, plant and all other deliveries would be either from the west – via the promenade adjacent to the Meeting Place Cafe and past the boules court and children’s paddling pool, or from the east – via the ramp opposite the Metropole Hotel.

Neither of these are suitable at the best of times, let alone in the summer. The disruption to both the seafront road and seafront trade will be horrendous.

One really has to wonder whether the alleged benefit to our seafront amenity will be outstripped by the aggravation caused by the actual construction of this tower.

Ian Taylor, St Aubyns, Hove