SIR — Travelling to Minehead on Tuesday last proved an absolute nightmare after Bridgwater. At the end of a long journey we spotted a sign at Cannington indicating the A39 was closed at Holford.  We thought we could navigate our way around the side roads should this be the case. Further signs variously indicated closures at Kilve or closures at Holford - which was it? - a quite ridiculous situation! There was no mention of timings or dates. We felt it unlikely the road would be closed until later in the evening from past experience and, as there was a heavy volume of traffic heading towards Minehead, we carried on. Most of the signs ahead were turned around in laybys or buried in the hedgerow,which reinforced our thoughts that we would be able to drive on, and it wasn't until we reached Holford that we finally saw a legible sign that informed us the road was closed at Kilve from 6.30pm. We checked the clock and it was 6.32pm, so we headed on as lorries and cars and vans were also proceeding onwards. We met a scene of cars and lorries trying to turn around anywhere and everywhere as the road was indeed blocked off and the men working there informed us very nicely that we would have to return to Bridgwater! We were incensed as the signage had been so inadequate and we were tired and needed to be home. Local knowledge meant that we knew we could head for the Taunton road from Nether Stowey, but other poor souls would have to head all the way back to Bridgwater. What visitors must make of such poor information heaven only knows. The road up through Crowcombe was chaotic with many drivers, presumably running late, driving with excessive speed for the road conditions. When we eventually arrived in Wiiliton we spotted a sign for drivers heading from the Minehead direction to Bridgwater which read "For Nether Stowey Diversion Follow" with nothing after the word "follow"! That sign was still there six nights later when we looked on Monday night. At Washford Cross we spotted a sign which read "Diversion Ends" and it was immediately followed by another sign which read "Diverted Traffic" with a left arrow! Once again, we thought of visitors to the area and how completely baffled they must be. For goodness sake Somerset County Council, the holiday season is in full flow, and for the sake of visitors and residents alike, get your act together and put out clear signage which drivers can read and understand whilst safely negotiating the challenging roads of West Somerset. We quite understand the need for road repairs but the least you could try to do is put up a set of clear and adequate diversion signs. Caroline and Brian Nott, Bratton Lane, Woodcombe.