There is nothing frivolous or cosmetic about the improvements to Brighton’s Lewes Road as they near completion, three months ahead of schedule.

The redesign of this three miles of road should have happened 17 years ago when the A27 was rerouted, taking through-traffic out of the city. At last the current administration has had the vision and courage to act on what had become an out-dated dual carriageway funnelling the remaining traffic towards the city centre, inevitably toward bottlenecks and tailbacks.

M Virgo’s letter (August 21), suggests it wasn’t broken, so why fix it? However, we know that many people have been broken along this route as a result of preventable accidents.

One such person was Jo Walters. She was an experienced cyclist and newly qualified teacher when, in July 2010, she was fatally hit as she came off the narrow cycle track and into fast-moving traffic.

Jo’s family have generously contributed time and expertise to the Lewes Road scheme to ensure that such accidents are not repeated.

This summer I have met dozens of cyclists who are delighted and grateful for these improvements. Perhaps more importantly, the scheme is enabling more people to get on their bikes. A year ago you rarely saw a child cycling on Lewes Road, whereas just this week I have seen several.

Meanwhile the bus services are getting faster and more attractive thanks to the bus lane and new bus stops.

I travel this route every day and, apart from the inevitable slowdowns due to temporary road works, I have not noticed more congestion, just a more civilised steady flow and a road that feels fit for a future where more of us cycle, fewer have to rely on the costly investment of a car and all are the richer for it.

On air quality, time (and monitoring stations) will tell, but I am confident this will also start to improve.

Hats off to the workers who have been toiling since December to create a safer, cleaner, friendlier Lewes Road.

Duncan Blinkhorn, Chair of Lewes Road For Clean Air