Sir.-Over the years congestion has increased on the Brighton Hill Roundabout to the point where the question of a fatality occurring at the Western Way junction is a matter of when, not if, it will happen.

Cllr Brian Gurden is right to address this issue now, but I believe the "turn left only" solution is far from ideal.

Many letters call for traffic lights as a solution, but with six roads joining the roundabout, increased congestion and possible gridlock would be inevitable.

Cllr Andrew McCormick's comment that not all roads need lights is a good one. So a solution could be just to have lights controlling the flow of vehicles from Western Way on to the roundabout. Every three minutes or so, lights could stop traffic coming from the west to allow Western Way traffic safely out.

This break in flow would also allow Harrow Way and Brighton Way vehicles to continue to flow, thereby preventing delays.

Outside of rush hour, the lights could be switched off.

-Cllr Kevin Harkess, Liberal Democrat, Brighton Hill South.

Sir.-Regarding Brighton Hill Roundabout, or any other large roundabout in and around Basingstoke.

I would like to add my agreement and support for the use of traffic lights.

The only other possible solution to the problem that I can think of would be a flyover - or better still, reduce the speed limit.

This would allow users a safer chance to get on and off the roundabout without taking risks trying to join a race track.

-W Negus, Pinkerton Road, Basingstoke.

Sir.-I fully support the call for traffic lights at the Brighton Hill Roundabout.

The problem there is not just one of congestion, it is also very much one of safety, with some cars hurtling around at well over 40mph.

Sooner or later there will be fatalities.

The use of traffic lights to regulate traffic at congested and potentially-hazardous roundabouts is well-established, both within the borough and elsewhere, and brings significant all-round improvements.

I feel the council must reject the current "half-baked" proposals from the county council and insist on traffic lights as the required solution.

The cost of these surely cannot be excessive.

-G L Everett, Tanners Way, Oakley.

Sir.-Having read the proposals to ease the congestion at Brighton Hill Roundabout, traffic lights sound a fairly good idea.

However, I believe the anti-skid surface is, quite frankly, stupid.

If there were to be sets of rumble strips on the roundabout, this would slow traffic down, thus allowing a more safe entry than is now.

The problem has got worse since Asda opened, although the store is good for us as Brighton Hill is a much better place than a few years ago.

I seem to remember a proposal to make most London-bound traffic use junction six of the M3 and not seven. What happened to this?

Also, how do the powers-that-be propose to fill all the business units that have stood empty for years, while carrying on building new ones?

People who visit Basingstoke to shop must have a fit when they see rotten run-down buildings next to a fancy, expensive housing development.

I admit it's not all bad. Eastrop has been made a lovely place to visit with children, and the shopping centre is great - although it's worrying to see shops that have already come and gone.

Is this due to high rates, which leave local business people sitting outside, just thinking "If only"? Can they not be supported?

-Richard Albery, Basingstoke.

Sir.-I recently went to the Ridgeway Community Centre, which held a display on the proposed development adjacent to Old Kempshott Lane in Basingstoke.

The plans involve putting "road-calming" measures along that road and Chiltern Way.

I pointed out to those manning the display that these obstructions would encourage traffic to use the already-congested Buckskin Lane.

The reply was that it was part of the plan.

Congested traffic is safe. Obviously if a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle at five miles per hour, there is unlikely to be much harm done.

So, there we have it - our roads are congested because that's the way our council wants it!

With fuel resources (so we are told) drying up, one would have thought that the sooner a car had completed its journey the better.

A stationary car is a safe car - something our elected representatives seem to have missed.

Meanwhile, those of us in particular in Buckskin can look forward to more noise pollution plus the deadly effects of increased carbon monoxide poisoning.

I understand that the British National Party is intending to contest the Buckskin ward next time around.

One could be forgiven for voting for them, if only in despair. After all, if they succeeded in their bid to remove illegal immigrants from this country, perhaps it would help make our roads much less congested.

-Name and address withheld.