The recent MARR is a good example with its not so conducive traffic flow '2 to 1 to 2 to 1' lanes etc (not to mention 2 to 1 to 5 at the B&Q junction!) when there are no actual road width restrictions in most cases.

Not only that, to add insult to injury, we now have bollards as well. I assume they are for 'safety reasons' but the result is less time for a smooth 'merge in' and also the risk of drivers going the wrong side of them.

Is it just me, but would a dual carriageway be much safer/better? The recent addition to the road has just followed on from the already badly designed existing A38 road which I hate to think how many lives it has already claimed.

More recently, we have the new 'improved' Common Road junction near the designer outlet. Who's bright idea was it to have a filter lane so long that it actually extends past the previous set of traffic lights (in both directions)?

This is a masterpiece, as when it's busy as it encourages cars and lorries to fly down the outer lane past the stationary traffic only then to cut back in at the last minute, very safe - not! (and what's with the two lanes to turn anyway - surely that was a waste of money?)

And finally, when, please when, will some one fix the traffic light sensors at the new A38 Pinxton junction (and Station Road for that matter)? There is nothing worse that having to regularly drive this road and also make stops/ wait for imaginary traffic!

Is it not time for them to take some lessons, dare I say it from the Derby council, who seem to actually know how to design (and improve) a road.

I regularly travel to Derby and their efforts - additional merge-in lanes, additional filter lanes and temporary traffic lights on roundabouts (not that we have any left for some strange reason) - all encourage improved traffic flow, without compromising safety.

Obviously widening the road would come at a cost but how many lives would it save? a new strategy would have a positive effect on safety, environment (a reduction in stop-starting emissions), drivers' morale and potentially local business could benefit as well

DANIEL WASS.