MAY I concur with the views of Mr Wilcock (LET, May 27) in his assertion that, contrary to the dictionary definition, the 'improvements' to Blackburn's traffic system have made things worse, not better.

Where once there was an unhindered road between Barbara Castle Way and Copy Nook, we now have three sets of unsynchronised traffic lights in close succession together with a bus lane to boot!

One can now regularly encounter traffic jams heading out of town where, as prior to the 'improvements', as a regular user of this stretch, I cannot recall any such traffic congestion.

Approaching the Copy Nook junction along the orbital route heading towards Accrington is even more fun! Two unsynchronised traffic lights mean a significant delay and traffic build-up before both lights may be crossed. Maybe this is a ploy to stop us leaving the town centre!

However, this area of the town is not unique. There appears to be a fad of creating wonderfully complex solutions festooned with myriads of traffic lights to the road system where once traffic flowed relatively unencumbered. Examples include the junctions of Bennington Street/Higher Audley, where a staggered junction has now artificially been turned into a bend (the shortest distance between two sets of traffic lights if I'm not mistaken -- anyone know better?), the complex time-consuming traffic light sequence between Preston New Road and Barbara Castle Way (many examples of this!), the bizarre one way system near the Fire Station, the traffic system at Darwen Street Bridge, the list continues.

Of course, we must consider pedestrian safety, but why create such complex junctions with time-consuming traffic light sequences? Remember that each sequence change means no-one is using the road, the last thing we need!

The general experience is of increasing congestion. Certainly, some of this is due to increased traffic volume, but I'm certain that these 'improvements' contribute to the problem rather then alleviating it.

EDDY WOLOSZCZUK, Kingsmead, Knuzden.