HALF a million pounds has been spent on "improvements" to Bury town centre, but once work began last year I kept away.

Curious as to the outcome, I recently ventured along Silver Street with a pupil 'L' driver. Signs warned us of the "New Road Layout" and we saw the new "mini-roundabout" to our right as we turned left down Bolton Street. No problem there.

Later in the month, I saw your article ("Drivers take heed...", Feb 16) and wonder who devised this scheme.

Travelling along Peel Way, westerly, there is a new white-on-blue sign stating that there will be restricted access to Market Street. Now I have been using Bury roads since 1965 but in 2001, surely Market Street is best known as the location of the Bury Times and Bury College. I turn sharp left from Peel Way, see the "Town Centre" sign and proceed up what I know is Bolton Street. Up ahead, changes have taken place and I hesitate as I see the mini-roundabout. Vehicles across my path are stationary, causing driver confusion! A man in a white van looks and, followed by three other vehicles, proceeds into "the improvements". I confirm the time and take the only legal option, retracing my journey down Bolton Street. What a farce!

If this scheme was "signed" adequately, there should be no need to police the area.

I wonder what are the views of other readers as I know Rochdale "enjoys" a similar road scheme adjacent to their town hall.

KEITH SCRANAGE (A.D.I.)