Travelling Anticlockwise On A Roundabout...where?

[joko]

when i was learning to drive, i bought books etc to help me, but in one it said there are a few rab's in uk in which you go to the right on them... i cant remember the book now.

does anyone know of any?

i remember thinking that seemed pointless and asking for trouble but is it true? the book seemed genuine and thorough and wasnt old either.

cheers

[Mamyalynne]

Magic Roundabout (Hemel Hempstead) ?


Despite its name, the Magic Roundabout is not actually a single roundabout.
It was constructed in 1973 to reduce the congestion at the original standard layout roundabout where seven roads intersected, it was one of the first bi-directional roundabouts to be constructed in the UK[citation needed]. At the junction of each road with the roundabout a mini-roundabout is present and subject to the normal clockwise direction of travel for all traffic. Between these mini-roundabouts however traffic is permitted to travel clockwise or anti-clockwise around the larger roundabout, the expectation being that drivers would choose the shorter route with less stationary traffic.

[SpikeyBush]

Only roundabout I drove round anti-clockwise was on the outskirts of Amsterdam, near Schiphol airport.

[Jubz]

until very recently Saddlers Farm roundabout in Benfleet Essex, was the same layout as Mamyalynne's Magic roundabout, bi-directional with mini roundabouts. Fisrt time I drove round it was a stressful experience. Its now been turned back into a conventional roundabout.

[mushroom25]

there's another one of these outside the fire station in swindon.....

[chas2008]

As said Hemel Hempstead, bit of a shock when you come across it, its still a bit of everyone for them selves mentality...

[follyfancier]

there are two similar to this on the A52 going towards Nottingham from Derby but they both have traffic lights to allow anyone to turn right in a different lane rather than go around the roundabout first

[EvianBaby]

I don't get the problem with Hemels roundabouts. It's just a series of small roundabouts. If they got rid of the big and pointless circle from the middle of the signs to it I think people would understand it more but it just confuses people as is.

It's biggest problem is that it's so busy and the mini roundabouts are too mini which means you don't get enough time to cross when it's your right of way. Or should I say your right of way doesn't last or very long.

[sara3]

is that near you, Evian? I drive up there once a week, and it always shocks me how people deal with it!

[ummmm]

I shat myself seeing the sign for that roundabout. It's easy once you're on it.

[EvianBaby]

Nearish Sarah, I live in Aylesbury. I work in Aston Clinton (just off the A41) and so pop to Hemel for shopping after work sometimes. I'm surprised at how many people struggle with it. If you just treat them as individual roundabouts then they're fine. (although a bit too small).

[sara3]

I drive from St Albans, and need to go around (and double back) on the first roundabout.. fools everyone who seem to think I'm going right. I brace myself for a smash every time!

[EvianBaby]

Yeah, you do have to keep your wits about you just for fear of other people jumping out.

[Toureman]

This should answer your question or drive you mad!


http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=hemel+magic+roundabout&hl=en&rlz=1R2GPTB_en-GB&;site=webhp&tbm=isch&;tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&;ei=4b1aUbyND8PK0AWIooG4AQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDgQsAQ&biw=1440&;bih=730

[Canary42]

Although it was constructed after the Hemel one I believe the Swindon one gave birth to the name Magic Roundabout (apart from Dougal's of course).

[denis567]

I remember that there is (or was) a similar roundabout at Colchester, near to the University. It is many years since I was in that part of the country, so it might not be there now.

[FredPuli43]

Yes, Denis, I regret to report that some of Colchester's 'magic' roundabouts have survived. Colchester was used as a test site for various types of these. When they first arrived, we had the excitement of a different design every mile or two on the same stretch of road, just in case we worked out how to get through the first one and enjoyed the challenge of going to the next level. I hadn't been there much since those distant days of total confusion, but I made the mistake, last season, of going to Colchester United's new ground, starting from Colchester itself. I was promptly confused twice by them. Should have started in London; the new stadium is right by the dual carriageway from there.

[malagabob]

Just had a look at HH roundabout on google earth.Each junction is a roundabout itself Interesting.

[Baldric]

Here's the Swindon one;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)

Nightmare!