Any thorough evaluation of the new Seven Dials roundabout/merry-go-round should include a look at its knock-on effects (The Argus, December 31).

A large number of road-users approaching the Dials along Davigdor Road have learnt over the course of the past nine months to avoid the Dials altogether by turning right into Osmond Road, in order to turn left at a dangerous crossroads on a bend into Windlesham Avenue and on to Montpelier, Dyke Road and even, I’ve been informed, Brighton Station.

Any number of additional rat-runs of a similar kind may well have been created at the six other branches of Seven Dials, thereby increasing traffic at potentially dangerous crossroads and T-junctions which were hitherto relatively tranquil backroads.

Accidents at such sites should perhaps be added to the future tally at Seven Dials or at least a proportion of these figures.

Andy Steer, Windlesham Road, Brighton

Why is the Dials referred to as “an accident blackspot” in your report?

Have you been brainwashed by the council into using this terminology? If you had done any research into accidents at the Dials roundabout, you will find it is no more dangerous than any other roundabout in Sussex. The roundabout took an astonishing nine months to build and its real purpose is to cause traffic to back up to the Old Shoreham Road.

The roundabout needed a few changes, but spending nearly a million pounds on it and condemning local businesses to months of hardship was entirely wrong. Ian Davey’s appropriately smug response is typical of a council that values dogma over common sense.

Phil Barton, Addison Road, Hove