What is going on with Roundabouts in the UK?
What is going on with Roundabouts in the UK?
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Discussion

Paul O

Original Poster:

2,997 posts

199 months

Saturday 3rd March 2012
quotequote all
Hi all,

I've noticed that over the last few years, most roundabouts now have arrows pointed on the floor to guide you in the correct lane, depending on where you are turning. There are also signs which show which lane is for left/right/straight on.

However, the floor markers are frequently at odds with the signs. To give an example of a few near me, the floor arrow point straight on for if you are turning LEFT. On another they point straight on if you are going RIGHT, and on another they show straight on if your going STRAIGHT ON. The signs are always accurate, but the floor arrows seem to be all kinds of wrong. Can't the painters do curves any more?

There are several major roundabouts where the signs advise you can turn RIGHT in both the left and the right-hand lanes, presumably to assist traffic flow. However, they do this for ALL entrances to roundabout. The problem is that they also have traffic lights. This means that at rush hour, I frequently grimace as I watch cars in the left lane going right, and cars in the right lane turning left - at the same time.

It's no wonder they confuse the hell out of people. Anyone got a clue why they do this madness?? Or is it simply to make rush hour that little bit more interesting?

Edited by Paul O on Saturday 3rd March 22:54

Fastdruid

9,093 posts

168 months

Saturday 3rd March 2012
quotequote all
May I add the mass addition of traffic light's to vast numbers of our roundabouts? Great in rush hour when one direction can monopolise a roundabout but at 1am?

magpies

5,185 posts

198 months

Monday 12th March 2012
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The A66 Middlesbrough to redcar is being 'improved' (as VERY large signs say)by removing roundabouts and going back to traffic lights and crossroads WTF and must be costing 100s of £1000s.

I agree - why have traffic lights on large roundabouts still working through the night - another waste of electricity (and time when stopped at a red light and no-one else on the road)

A66 Darlington bypass - road to a roundabouted Tee junction. Road markings show left turn and straight on. Actual road left and right turns only.

the_lone_wolf

2,622 posts

202 months

Friday 23rd March 2012
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Paul O said:
However, the floor markers are frequently at odds with the signs. To give an example of a few near me, the floor arrow point straight on for if you are turning LEFT. On another they point straight on if you are going RIGHT, and on another they show straight on if your going STRAIGHT ON. The signs are always accurate, but the floor arrows seem to be all kinds of wrong. Can't the painters do curves any more?
Use of "Turn Left" or "Turn Right" arrows is discouraged on the approach to roundabouts.

What you describe as a "Sraight on" arrow means "Continue in this lane for XYZ" and is the "correct" lane marking for normal roundabouts

A "Left" arrow normally means "This lane terminates and you will turn off this road" and should only be used on segregated left turn lanes at roundabouts

However, I'm sure there's plenty of inconsistency in the application of markings...

Source: TSRGD

smile

saaby93

32,038 posts

194 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
you havent seen this thread
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Half way down page 34 of 36 I tried to summarise the difference between the roadsign telling you what was off each exit and the road layout telling you which lane to be in and a straight on arrow without minor arrows off it means stay in lane.
I can safely say its a minority viewpoint smile

jason s4

16,810 posts

186 months

Monday 26th March 2012
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Cant wait to try this one. thumbup

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/30555.as...

Its only got 70 sets of traffic lights!eek

DaveH23

3,333 posts

186 months

Monday 26th March 2012
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Suprised the magic roundabout in swindon hasnt been mentioned yet.

blueg33

42,034 posts

240 months

Monday 26th March 2012
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DaveH23 said:
Suprised the magic roundabout in swindon hasnt been mentioned yet.
It has - see above smile

DaveH23

3,333 posts

186 months

Monday 26th March 2012
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
It has - see above smile
confused

jason s4

16,810 posts

186 months

Monday 26th March 2012
quotequote all
DaveH23 said:
blueg33 said:
It has - see above smile
confused
+1

blueg33

42,034 posts

240 months

Monday 26th March 2012
quotequote all
Sorry - it had been mentioned - by you smile I should have said - "it has now"

surveyor

18,397 posts

200 months

Monday 26th March 2012
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
DaveH23 said:
Suprised the magic roundabout in swindon hasnt been mentioned yet.
It has - see above smile
Magic roundabout is easy. Fix eyes on exit that you want and head for it.