SO its thumbs down and a mark of zero for Wirral Borough Council roads department.

The New Chester Road, carrying local traffic for the A41, has over the years been reduced from four lanes to two, pedestrian footbridge removed, and any room to pass traffic turning right removed by the laying down last summer of cycle lane 'teeth'.

One car turning right can now hold up the entire carriageway.

The traffic lights at New Ferry, which were removed in 1981 as they were causing too many delays, were reinstated two years ago; and another two sets of lights, not interworked, added within a 100 yard distance, all of which have pedestrian controls which add to the length of time waiting for lights to change.

Now we have the road dug up and a four-way set of temporary lights added.

I'd like to know what the environmental benefits of queues like this (picture above) are, taken a quarter of a mile from the roadworks.

It took 12 minutes to get through.

Jonathan Minards, Eastham