Do you think this Roundabout looks a bit tricky?

Question

http://www.2pass.co.uk/swindon.gif

Answer 1

Impressive piece of design, but I too expect screech-bump -tinkle any moment  . . .

It's very clear from that viewpoint, I suspect it's considerably more confusing on the ground.

Answer 2

I admit it looks tricky but I had digs just at the side of that, when I was contracting in Swindon and used it twice a day,  it was really easy and fast to get around. If one route is blocked just go one r/about on and use that one, its pure genius

Answer 3

well put it this way i won't be going there who ever built that must have been pissed ..................

Answer 4

seriously but it cant be as bad as the one in france!

Answer 5

It might look tricky, but it works really well, and has a very low accident rate.

I've been round it, and it is well sign-posted, and has excellent road markings, which means its easier than many normal junctions.

Answer 6

from the point of view shown, this looks like art.

from the point of view of a driver, this looks like a very elaborate disaster in progress (cue screech of tyres).

Answer 7

Yes, just a bit tricky

Answer 8

From up above it might give a different impression from when approaching it in a car, don't know

Answer 9

It does look a little intimidating from the air!

Generally I don't like it where there's a roundabout on the exit of another, as it makes planning the route through the roundabout difficult. Biggest problem with such systems is locking/gridlock when people start to go around the roundabouts, but the can't exit the roundabout, but can't exit becaus of cars in-front waiting to enter the next roundabout. Can cause gridlock on the roundabout.

Also "surprises"/unusual road layouts are generally bad for road safety, as different drivers may approach the problem in different ways. They're not bad at all once EVERYONE is  familiar with them, and understand how you/others traverse the roundabout. What's the signage like on the roads leading the roundabouts?

Most of the sub-roundabouts seems to have only 1 lane on the mini-roundabouts, so I think the multiple lanes are there to allow several cars to wait to before entering the sub-roundabouts.  So long as the sub-roundabouts don't lock up, traffic should continue flowing. If you got right into the centre, then it might be difficult to leave!

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There's a REALLY bad close-coupled roundabout in Exeter, covering a junction between 3 roads, near one of the railway stations. Not helped at all because one of the exits lead onto a fairly steep hill (slowing down that exit) and one of the other roads often clogs up because it heads towards a level crossing,so often has stationary traffic that causes frequent backs up/stationary traffic across the roundabout.

Answer 10

A bit is putting it mildly, still if it stops people from Swindon getting out, can't be all bad.

Answer 11

l suppose it will be priority to vehicles approaching from the right same as every where else. but indeed it does look tricky

Answer 12

it's nickname is the Magic Roundabout and it is surprisingly easy when you mhave to use  just make sure you don't bump into Doogle on your way round! lol.

Answer 13

There's not many cars there - that tells you something, and of the low accident rate there won't be any if no one uses it !!

Answer 14

Nah, I could do that with my eyes shut.  I'd crash of course, but still...

Answer 15

Not at all.  My Dad and his colleagues spend several months a year resurfacing the Roundabouts in Swindon.

My family refer to Swindon as Magic Roundabout - the whole town is just one big roundabout.

Answer 16

i hope thats a temporary car park in the middle...geez...looks more like a Funpark

Answer 17

Yea, just a little bit I guess :s

Answer 18

Not really.  The road is clearly marked.  All you have to do is follow the road signals.  If it was unmarked it would be a different matter.