A (not very interesting) debate popped up on my local Facebook community group today. We have a “hamburger” roundabout nearby and the traffic lights have failed. I don’t really see this as a big deal because, providing you always give way to the right, you’ll be fine. Others seem to think everyone will be dead within a week. I’m interested to see what Reddit thinks of this!

by Charming_Pirate

29 comments

  1. “They should close the entire thing until the lights are fixed” should sort the men from the boys.

  2. If the road markings and signage are clear then it’ll be fine. I think most issues with these roundabouts are caused by faded markings and bad sinage, as well as illogical road markings that break usual roundabout rules

  3. Just follow those arrows I can see painted in the road. Unless you’re on the A5028 where it looks like they forgot to paint them.

  4. My town has the opposite problem, there’s a roundabout with traffic lights that the local FB groups moan like buggery about until the lights break, then they sing its praises.

  5. It looks fairly simple to me. Perhaps they should use this kind of layout to determine who does and doesn’t get a driving license.

  7. I lived near a large roundabout where six roads met. No traffic lights, just give way lines on each road where it joins the roundabout. No issues with it as most indicate where they are leaving.

    Thankfully we didn’t get the “let’s slap another road through the middle” as you’ve got, seemingly giving drivers of the A45 a choice of two ways to either continue on the same road, or turn presumably North onto the A6.

  8. The thing I hate about these roundabouts are the goblins that live on the islands. Not dangerous to humans, per se, but they can be a serious traffic hazard, especially if two close islands are at war.

  9. If it really was confusing people (something I doubt but maybe depends on the number of lanes) then I would just block off that A45 entry into the centre, and make all the traffic go the whole way round.

  10. Oh I know this roundabout! From the air it looks absolutely bizarre but when you drive it, it’s very simple – as long as they maintain the road markings!

    Even without lights it can’t be any worse than the complete shitshow that is the Rushden Lakes roundabout.

  11. I can imagine going round and round, unable to exit until I run out of petrol.

  12. If people follow the correct way to use a roundabout it won’t be a problem, but we all know plenty of people won’t and there will be plenty of horn blowing, gesturing and shouting, and probably a few crashes.

  13. Used this roundabout twice today. Was fine, although some people to my right were trying to give way to me for some reason

  15. TBH, that’s not even in the top 5 worst roundabout design’s I’ve ever seen.

    (Number 1 is the Hanger Lane Gyratory, which somehow makes the Magic Roundabouts in Swindon and High Wycombe look like kids’ stuff)

  16. Someone taking the A45 westbound will t-bone someone taking the A6 northbound – the person on the A6 will claim they were already on the roundabout so didn’t need to give way, the person on the A45 will say “give way right”

  17. The issue with this roundabout is when the lights fail (often) and you’re travelling NE along the A45, there’s an ‘unseen’ second load of traffic approaching from your right.

    You automatically give way to cars travelling northbound on the A6 but cars which are travelling clockwise from the A45(SW) to join the A6(N) come from an unexpected lane that you can’t see as you pull onto the roundabout. You see the lane immediately to your right is clear so pull off without realising that there’s a second carriageway just passed the first who have priority.

    I know the roundabout well and it’s hateful for this reason.

    When the lights are working, it works well so long as you look at the signage. It’s a million times better than the crap show it replaced.

  18. Jeezis the eejits where I live freak out at a painted on roundabout….this scenario would cause absolute chaos …..go/stop/move/wait! Too many conjectures for their little brains bless em ❤

  20. I watched the debate live, as I have no life 🤣

  21. Did not expect to see so many fellow Rushdeners on Reddit today haha. Chowns Mill is easier when the lights aren’t working, people always use the wrong lane for Raunds anyway so you’ve got to have eyes in the back of your head.

  22. I use this roundabout twice a week as I work at an office five minutes down the road. It’s actually super easy to use, even if it looks a bit mad. I was sceptical when they reworked it but it’s been a massive success.

  23. Males perfect sense to me,

    But then I drive the m5/m42/A38 every week

    Hs2 can kiss my dick

  25. Live close to this. Looks complicated on the map but dead simple when you use it if you follow the signs. You dont even notice the layout.

    And this has been posted before btw

  26. We’ve got one in headington. Used to drive it a lot at one point and every so often go the wrong bloomin way.

  27. This is down the road from me (ish) – it’s well signed, and it’s simple to use – the further right you want to go round the roundabout, the further right lane you pick.

    Half hamburger is much easier to use than a full hamburger.

  29. I have a round about near me that you have to use the left lane to turn left that actually turns to the right 🙂 Have fun working that one out.

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