• CYCLISTS were, I trust, pleased with the hugely expensive street works that has brought a redesign of Randolph Street and the junction with St Pancras Way in Camden Town.

However, after only a very short time, it has deteriorated into a complete mess.

Presumably all, or some, of the suite of new traffic lights failed, for the whole junction is full of temporary traffic lights and a large amount of temporary signage.

One must ask however if these street works were at all necessary in the first place. And we are never told the cost of any project, of course.

Roads should be safe for all users, safe for vehicles, cycles and oft-forgotten pedestrians.

This newly-designed crossroads has lots of new traffic lights, some aimed at road vehicles, some at cyclists, and some lights for pedestrians wishing to cross the roads.

For 10 minutes, at evening rush hour last week, I stood and watched all three types of traffic.

About three-quarters of cyclists ignored the traffic lights specially installed for them, cyclists taking their chances, doubtless in the sure knowledge that the blame would most likely fall on a motor vehicle should there be an accident.

There is absolutely no point in wasting public money on special traffic lights for cyclists if they are going to be ignored by the majority.

One set of lights for motor vehicles and cyclists is sufficient (and many cyclists will ignore them too; but at least the cost to the public purse would be less).

Perhaps there should be a prize for cyclists who obey the law, obey the lights, and don’t cycle on pavements!

Why so many people voted for this Labour council beats me. Much of what I see in the street environment in Camden Town tells me that this council, so good at spending your money on questionable projects, should have been sent packing years ago.

LESTER MAY, NW1