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Originally posted by Sherwin: Are we sure that isn't a case of PhotoShop? � I've never seen anything like it and I've been here for a while. � No council has that much of a sense of humour to put "The Magic Roundabout" at the top of a sign for said weird roundabout. Agree about the traffic lights thing. But they solve a problem introduced when they started making roundabouts faster - I can name at least three roundabouts which are literally 30 minutes wait to get on them during rush hour. |
This is NOT a Photoshop nor is it old it's commonly known as a 'Magic Roundabout' and it's in Swindon (but there are others). It may look mental but it allows you to take 'short cuts' So you are on the junction for less time.
Example looking at the sign linked above: If you wanted to go down the road over on the far right (with the little blue sign on). On a regular Island you would have to go all the way round (clockwise), but this way you can take a right, and be on the junction for less time. Link to a Swindon website about said roundabout.
Traffic Lights have been installed on Islands where Traffic volumes have increased beyond the design capability of the island, without the lights on many of these islands they would be blocked solid. The best thing would be to do away with the roundabout completely at these junctions, and replace them with regular light controlled junctions IMHO. But sticking on a load of lights is easier.