New roundabout opens in UK as locals get 3-minute video in how to use it
The £2m roundabout features a two-way segregated cycle track, a 3m wide footway, and a central island
A 'Dutch-style' roundabout that comes with a comprehensive three-minute tutorial video has been opened in an English town, sparking debate among locals. The £2m construction in Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire is now open for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
Users of the innovative junction are instructed to yield to pedestrians first, followed by cyclists, before giving way to other vehicles, reports Bristol Live.. Local David Coulson, 65, expressed his concerns, saying: "I wouldn't be surprised if people got killed or injured on it. I also can't believe they spent this much money. It's right off the M1 - you're not going to get many pushbikes coming off there."
He added: "I drive but I also take a walk up here. I don't see much other footfall than myself. I think they've done it because we've also got the Magic Roundabout and now they can say we've got both. At least it's colourful."
Finance manager Fred Theron, 52, commutes by bike during warmer months from Luton and has reservations about driver awareness. He said: "I'm not sure if motorists will know how the cycle aspect works with having to give way. But I do think it's a good initiative and hopefully more people will cycle to work like I do."
One sceptical local who chose to remain anonymous criticised the project as 'a complete waste of money', saying: "There are no pedestrians up this way really to give way to. There's more important things to worry about like homeless people. There was nothing wrong with the old roundabout."
Local councillor Adrian England took the new Dutch-style roundabout in Hemel Hempstead for a spin. He said: "I cycle everywhere in Hemel Hempstead. With anything new - especially when you're a cyclist and all you've got is your helmet - you need to look after yourself. I felt perfectly safe today and I've come up along the cycle way."
Stephen Giles-Medhurst of Hertfordshire County Council said: "We hope to encourage more people to cycle or walk to their places of employment. It's safer, as the pedestrian crossings and cycle path go all the way round it."
Reflecting on his experience, he added: "I had a go on a bike this morning and it will take a little bit of getting used it. Vehicles are slowing down, maybe because it's new, but I didn't have any near misses. You can't engineer out someone being stupid."
Local residents previously criticised the roundabout for its perceived complexity, leading Hertfordshire County Council to release an instructional CGI video. The video, lasting three minutes, educates cyclists to give way to pedestrians and stay alert of vehicles, despite having priority in their dedicated cycle track.
It furthermore outlines the rule requiring cars and lorries to give way to cyclists and pedestrians both when entering and exiting the roundabout. Funding for the roundabout was provided by Active Travel England, the government's agency tasked with fostering walking, cycling and wheeling.
At present, there are three Dutch-style roundabouts in use across the UK. The first was launched in Cambridge in 2020, succeeded by another in Sheffield in December 2024, and the most recent one began operation in Chichester in February 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Our Auld Enemy rivalry will always be part of our DNA — but look to the US and Canada for the next great national drama
ZARA JANJUA Our Auld Enemy rivalry will always be part of our DNA — but look to the US and Canada for the next great national drama Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WE Scots pride ourselves on being world-class grudge holders. For centuries, the English have been our go-to national frenemy — the original source of cultural, political and footie-based beef. But while we've been locked in this existential tug-of-war with England, another rivalry has been quietly gathering momentum across the Atlantic. 4 Scottish Sun columnist Zara Credit: The Sun 4 Our Auld Enemy rivalry with England will always be part of our DNA Credit: PA 4 Donald Trump with new Canadian PM Mark Carney Credit: AP 4 Matthew Tkachuk of Team USA fights with Brandon Hagel of Team Canada during the first period in the 4 Nations Face-Off game Credit: Getty And I hate to say it, but it might just outdo ours in both stakes and pettiness. I speak, of course, of Canada vs the United States — a feud with the energy of a polite street fight outside a farmers' market, but one that could soon eclipse our age-old Anglo-Scottish sparring. One close point from the US to Canada is the border between Detroit, Michigan (US) and Windsor, Ontario (Canada), which spans the Detroit River. This week I flew to Detroit and crossed the border by car into Windsor. On one side, muscle cars and MAGA hats; on the other, maple leaves and passive resistance. Landing in the US, I found myself wondering: Have I ever tweeted something spicy enough to be flagged by Homeland Security? I'm a liberal Pakistani-Scottish woman with a fondness for human rights and sarcasm — so, probably. I even censored myself mid-flight while chatting to the woman beside me, just in case my views got me deported before I'd even finished my pretzels. As it turned out, I sailed through immigration. But the process felt Orwellian — less Big Brother, more Big Border Patrol. It was the first time I felt that my politics, passport and profile picture might be under review by an algorithm with a grudge. Trump crushes hopes of 'peace talks' call with Musk as he insists Elon has 'lost his mind' after feud went nuclear Last week King Charles and Queen Camilla landed in Ottawa, 400 miles from Windsor — like some royal advance party sent to remind Canada they're not available for franchise. Charles was there to open Parliament and, unofficially, to stick a diplomatic elbow between Canada and Trump's vision of turning it into a Walmart with trees. Trump had recently floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st US state — a suggestion so absurd it made The Handmaid's Tale look like a romcom. But Canadians, long stereotyped as gentle pacifists with a fetish for fleece, have started pushing back with the Elbows Up movement. Time to tan and pair up again TEN years. That's how long Love Island has been thrusting bronzed 20-somethings into a villa armed with veneers, trust issues, and bikinis smaller than their moral compasses. And somehow, despite the rise of AI lovers and Hinge horror stories, the show's stayed loyal to its original premise: couple-up or get dumped. In this economy? That's practically a marriage vow. Tomorrow, the 12th series washes ashore – and just like your ex, it'll turn up every weekday at 9pm, whether you want it to or not. But credit where it's due: in an age of ghosting, orbiting and situationships, the transactional honesty is almost refreshing. Find someone hot. Stay together. Win. If only the rest of us had a narrator explaining where we went wrong with that man from Fife who 'wasn't ready to label things'. 'Elbows Up, Canada!' is their national pep talk, a slogan born from ice hockey legend Gordie Howe, who once said: 'If a guy slashed me, I'd pull him close and elbow him in the head.' And now the nation has adopted that spirit. It features in a video campaign with new Prime Minister Mark Carney and actual national treasure Mike Myers, whose shirt: reads: 'NEVER 51.' That's the mood now — polite defiance in plaid. It's a masterclass in soft power. The Scottish-English tension may have Brexit baggage, but this? This is a full-blown cold war of the niceties. Miley is the adult now THERE are things no one prepares you for in life: pandemics, the rise of Crocs, and your dad dating Liz Hurley. But here we are – Miley Cyrus, patron saint of post-trauma empowerment, has broken her silence on her da Billy Ray's new love interest. Not a line-dancing divorcee or a country starlet, but the one and only safety-pinned icon of the Nineties. Yes, that Liz Hurley. Now, if you thought family drama peaked with Meghan and Harry, hold Miley's gluten-free beer. The former Disney rebel has navigated her parents' split, gone no-contact with Dad, and now emerged with the kind of perspective that costs thousands in therapy. 'I'm being an adult about it,' she told the New York Times, as if she's not clearly the only adult in the room. Should we have opinions on our parents' love lives? Absolutely not. Do we? Always. Especially when their new flame once dated Hugh Grant and probably owns lingerie more expensive than most mortgages. But Miley's honesty hits a nerve. That moment you realise your parents are fallible, with achy breaky hearts and questionable taste in post- divorce rebounds. It's disarming, dignified – and depressingly mature. Still, if anyone can make blended family dysfunction look glam, it's Liz bloody Hurley. And if Miley can 'wish happiness' to the chaos, maybe there's hope for the rest of us. Next year construction is due to finish on the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, named after the elbow-throwing icon. But this isn't just infrastructure — it's metaphor. A physical link between two nations increasingly trying to figure out how to stay connected without being consumed. The old Auld Enemy rivalry will always be part of our DNA — but if you're looking for the next great national drama, look to the US and Canada. It's neighbour vs neighbour, lumber vs logic, satire vs statecraft and Mike Myres vs Trump.
Belfast Telegraph
17 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Diarmuid Gavin: The 19th century Irish gardener who went on to influence the world
In the quiet countryside near Kilmeaden, Co Waterford, a boy was born in 1838 who would go on to transform the way the world thought about gardens. William Robinson was not born to privilege, and yet he became one of the most influential horticulturists in history — an Irishman who reshaped the English landscape, one perennial at a time.
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners can 'kill ivy for good' with natural solution using just three items
Gardeners are often left frustrated by the rapid growth of English ivy, but there is a simple and all-natural way to get rid of it using just three household items Home gardeners across the UK are all too familiar with the resilience of English ivy, even if they haven't intentionally planted it. This evergreen climber is common throughout the country, notorious for its ability to latch onto walls, fences, and trees, forming dense coverings of leaves. While it does provide some ecological advantages, such as offering shelter for birds and facilitating pollination, its propensity to overwhelm other plants, damage older walls, and block sunlight can be a nuisance for gardening enthusiasts. When dealing with rapid-growing weeds like ivy, one might assume that strong chemicals are the solution. However, specialists at Drip Works propose a homemade remedy using three common kitchen items to permanently eliminate "serious and invasive" ivy. The approach to managing unwanted ivy varies depending on its location within the garden. For ivy-covered walls, Drip Works experts suggest a vinegar-based spray, as reported by the Express. "If you want an ivy-free garden wall, this is an effective and natural way to achieve it," the experts at Drip Works recommend. They advocate for a mixture consisting of apple cider vinegar, salt, and washing-up liquid, which they claim has been "proven to be the best solution to kill ivy", reports Nottinghamshire Live. Preparing this ivy-killing spray is a breeze; simply mix three easy-to-find ingredients in a spray bottle. Blend one gallon of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of salt, and about two tablespoons (or one ounce) of washing-up liquid. You can use either apple cider vinegar or white vinegar to tackle ivy, with apple cider vinegar possibly packing a bigger punch for some due to its extra compounds beyond acetic acid. The effectiveness of either vinegar in killing ivy depends on the acetic acid concentration, which varies between different types of vinegar. If you don't have any apple cider vinegar at home, you can easily pick up a bottle from your local supermarket. Sainsbury's sells 500 ml of Apple Cider Vinegar for just £2.10. Before applying the mixture, make sure to secure the lid and give it a good shake. It's also crucial to wear gardening gloves, long sleeves, and boots to protect yourself during the process. How to kill ivy plants Irrigation experts recommend letting the vinegar solution coat the ivy plants for at least five days before evaluating its impact. This liquid mixture acts as a natural herbicide, dehydrating ivy leaves and helping break down their protective waxy layer. The team from Drip Works advised: "After five to six days, use garden shears and a pruning saw to remove dead ivy that is clinging firmly to the building." If any leaves resist the herbicide, you may need to repeat the process until the English ivy is completely eliminated. After the leaves have died off, it's vital to physically remove the roots, as ivy is tenacious and will regrow from even a tiny root fragment. Although ivy can offer nesting spaces for wildlife within its thick growth, unchecked spread can threaten trees by adding weight and competing for light and moisture.
