THE article in the Daily Echo (April 14) concerning the traffic lights currently being installed at Millbrook roundabout was unbalanced and negative.

Traffic lights at roundabouts can be a big help to drivers joining the main traffic flow from side roads; for instance, in the case in point, it is often difficult for westbound traffic to get out of Tebourba Way.

Traffic lights would cause minimal delays to eastbound traffic (remember that the bulk of this traffic will be on the flyover anyway) but would reduce queues in Tebourba Way.

The big difference, however, will be for cyclists commuting into the city in the rush hour.

While it is rare for a driver to wait for more than 30 seconds at traffic lights, it is not uncommon for cyclists to have to wait several minutes to cross the Dock Gate 20 junction.

Any car driver who considers that delays to cyclists are unimportant should consider that each cyclist put off cycling into work will add another car to their rush hour traffic jam.

Moreover, each commuter who finds that cycling to work is not only fairly quick, but is also virtually unaffected by traffic jams, is likely to leave their car at home in the mornings.

J R HEATH, Shirley, Southampton.