PAGE 5 of your January 2 Times edition, covering traffic island 'decor' and design, leads me to give you advice on two examples from two Midlands councils.

Dudley: Over ten years back, a new ring road was put in. At the brand new castle gate island, near Dudley Zoo, several 'sculptures' were put onto the island, including a group of several large re-inforced concrete footballs, each being some 3' high. An 'unofficial' sign appreciating these sculptures appeared on 3"x3" timbers. The sign (6'x3') was professionally signwritten and stated: 'Another Load of Balls from Dudley Council'. An official lack of humour meant that the sign 'disappeared' within 24 hours.

Sandwell: Go out of Dudley, pick up the A4123 (Birmingham /Wolverhampton New Road) to Junction 2 of the M5. At this island the tale is very different. Sandwell Council have had this large traffic island given some minor landscaping, and planted with beautiful trees and plants. This is the best design and landscaping I have ever seen in that which most of us usually zoom past as a circular green blob in most road networks.

So, you have the two extremes, from two Midlands authorities. I hope the Yelverton Island will take Sandwell's excellent example and not end up with Dudley's 'load of balls'.

A cautionary note — several plants were stolen from the Sandwell island because of their beauty and cost.

K Malpass

Tavistock

REGARDING the article on Yelverton roundabout in last week's Times, a far more practical idea would be to spend some money on the two traffic islands around the roundabout make them safer for the residents of Yelverton.

If you are in a wheel chair or are visually impaired, even if pushing a buggy, they are not a safe option to accessing the National Park or shops.

Improvements could be made to the path that leads to the Methodist church — it is rutted and dangerous with no easy access kerbstones there.

How about a virtual pavement for the top of Harrowbeer Lane? And last but not least what about a path for the residents of Briar Tor to walk across the green to Greenbank Terrace — they then could admire the daffodils.

This would not only improve the look of Yelverton but the residents would, I am sure the greatly appreciate a more practical use of 'giving back to the community'.

Susan Woollacott

Crapstone Villas

Yelverton