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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
New roundabout has three-minute video to explain how to drive through it – but can you figure out how it works?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW £2 million roundabout has a three-minute-long video explaining how to use it - can you figure it out? The Dutch-style roundabout in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, is set to welcome motorists, cyclists and pedestrians on June 6. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 A new £2 million roundabout has a three-minute-long video explaining how to use it Credit: Getty 5 The system prioritises cyclists which has sparked controversy Credit: Getty 5 The tutorial reveals how cyclists must give way to pedestrians and 'keep attentive' for cars Credit: YouTube / Hertfordshire County Council But the controversial project, which prioritises cyclists, has been slammed by locals. It comes after plans for the UK's first Dutch-style roundabout were originally blasted by drivers, who called it a cyclist "killing zone". Cyclists have an outer ring on the new roundabout, with cycle crossings over each of the four approach roads in a contrasting red surface. It also features zebra crossings over each approach road for pedestrians. Read More STREETS AHEAD Inside tiny UK village where cars are BANNED & donkeys make deliveries Motorists must also give way to pedestrians and to cyclists when joining and leaving the roundabout. Reduced lane widths on the roundabout and at exit and entry points are designed to encourage drivers to slow down. As reported by the Telegraph, the upcoming Hemel Hamstead has been dubbed Britain's 'most woke' roundabout. In light of a new three-minute video released by Hertfordshire county council, to explain the system, residents have branded it "complicated' and 'confusing'. The tutorial reveals how cyclists must give way to pedestrians and 'keep attentive' for cars – despite having priority on a separate cycle track. Cars and lorries must also give way to both cyclists and pedestrians when joining or leaving the roundabout. One fuming nearby resident commented: "For cyclists heading to, or coming off of, the M1, this is money well spent.' Another added: 'That's going to be carnage at rush hour. Literally eyes needed everywhere. "Assuming anyone uses it. I don't like the idea of braking when exiting the roundabout to give way to pedestrians." Others claimed it was a 'disaster waiting to happen' and highlighted a similar roundabout in Cambridge that opened in 2020. It is one of only three Dutch-style roundabouts in the UK, with two others located in Sheffield and Chichester. A scathing local said: 'There was a perfectly usable roundabout already there. Now they've pimped it up at great cost – what a joke.' The roundabout was funded by Active Travel England, the Government's executive agency for promoting walking, wheeling and cycling. Mark Doran, executive director of growth and environment at the council, added: "Hemel residents are no strangers to an innovative roundabout, so we're pleased that work on Boundary Way is nearing completion, on time. "We're keen to support our residents in becoming familiar with the layout so that everyday journeys are as smooth and safe as possible." This comes after we reported how the UK's first Dutch-style roundabout had increased the number of accidents, according to figures. Ten crashes - three serious - were reported across three years after the £2.3 million Fendon Road roundabout was installed in 2020. The accidents involved eight cyclists and two pedestrians being struck by a car, according to figures obtained by the BBC. That's six more than the four minor accidents recorded in the three years before the Cambridge layout was wheeled out. The system gives priority to cyclists thanks to a bright red outer ring lane and gives bikes their own level crossings. Motorists must wait for cyclists - and pedestrians - to enter and exit before manoeuvring around the roundabout. It means vehicles are made to give way twice while travelling through the pedal-friendly system. The roundabout was popularised in the bike-loving Netherlands and came about in Cambridge after locals demanded better cycle and pedestrian facilities. But within a few days of its opening in 2020, it had to close temporarily after a hit-and-run driver crashed into a zebra crossing beacon. And to this day, the system still divides opinion. 5 It also features zebra crossings over each approach road for pedestrians Credit: PA
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
New roundabout has three-minute video to explain how to drive through it – but can you figure out how it works?
A NEW £2 million roundabout has a three-minute-long video explaining how to use it - can you figure it out? The Dutch-style roundabout in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, is set to welcome motorists, cyclists and pedestrians on June 6. 5 A new £2 million roundabout has a three-minute-long video explaining how to use it Credit: Getty 5 The system prioritises cyclists which has sparked controversy Credit: Getty 5 The tutorial reveals how cyclists must give way to pedestrians and 'keep attentive' for cars Credit: YouTube / Hertfordshire County Council But the controversial project, which prioritises cyclists, has been slammed by locals. It comes after plans for the UK's first Dutch-style roundabout were originally blasted by drivers, who called it a cyclist "killing zone". Cyclists have an outer ring on the new roundabout, with cycle crossings over each of the four approach roads in a contrasting red surface. It also features zebra crossings over each approach road for pedestrians. Read More Motorists must also give way to pedestrians and to cyclists when joining and leaving the roundabout. Reduced lane widths on the roundabout and at exit and entry points are designed to encourage drivers to slow down. As reported by In light of a new three-minute video released by Hertfordshire county council, to explain the system, residents have branded it "complicated' and 'confusing'. Most read in Motors The tutorial reveals how cyclists must give way to pedestrians and 'keep attentive' for cars – despite having priority on a separate cycle track. Cars and lorries must also give way to both cyclists and pedestrians when joining or leaving the roundabout. One fuming nearby resident commented: "For cyclists heading to, or coming off of, the M1, this is money well spent.' Another added: 'That's going to be carnage at rush hour. Literally eyes needed everywhere. "Assuming anyone uses it. I don't like the idea of braking when exiting the roundabout to give way to pedestrians." Others claimed it was a 'disaster waiting to happen' and highlighted It is one of only three Dutch-style roundabouts in the UK, with two others located in Sheffield and Chichester. A scathing local said: 'There was a perfectly usable roundabout already there. Now they've pimped it up at great cost – what a joke.' The roundabout was funded by Active Travel England, the Government's executive agency for promoting walking, wheeling and cycling. Mark Doran, executive director of growth and environment at the council, added: "Hemel residents are no strangers to an innovative roundabout, so we're pleased that work on Boundary Way is nearing completion, on time. "We're keen to support our residents in becoming familiar with the layout so that everyday journeys are as smooth and safe as possible." This comes after we reported how the UK's first Dutch-style roundabout had Ten crashes - three serious - were reported across three years after the £2.3 million The accidents involved eight cyclists and two pedestrians being struck by a car, according to figures obtained by the That's six more than the four minor accidents recorded in the three years before the Cambridge layout was wheeled out. The system gives priority to cyclists thanks to a bright red outer ring lane and gives bikes their own level crossings. Motorists must wait for cyclists - and pedestrians - to enter and exit before manoeuvring around the roundabout. It means vehicles are made to give way twice while travelling through the pedal-friendly system. The roundabout was popularised in the bike-loving Netherlands and came about in Cambridge after locals demanded better cycle and pedestrian facilities. But within a few days of its opening in 2020, it had to close temporarily after a hit-and-run driver crashed into a zebra crossing beacon. And to this day, the system still divides opinion. 5 It also features zebra crossings over each approach road for pedestrians Credit: PA 5 Reduced lane widths on the roundabout and at exit and entry points are designed to encourage drivers to slow down Credit: Getty
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
Video guide made for Hemel Hempstead's 'Dutch-style' roundabout
A council has uploaded a tutorial video to show how people should use a new 'Dutch-style' roundabout, which prioritises cyclists and animated film shows cars, bicycles and lorries using the new junction in Hemel Hempstead, ahead of it opening on 2 County Council wants people planning to travel along Boundary Way in the Maylands area to watch the video, so it becomes familiar before it Doran, executive director of growth and environment at the council, said: "Hemel residents are no strangers to an innovative roundabout, so we're pleased that work on Boundary Way is nearing completion, on time." The town is already home to the 'Magic Roundabout', officially called the Plough Roundabout, where traffic from six routes meets at an interchange at the end of the town centre."We're keen to support our residents in becoming familiar with the layout so that everyday journeys are as smooth and safe as possible," Mr Doran project has been funded by Active Travel England and it is believed to be the first of its kind in Hertfordshire. The roundabouts have been popularised in the cycle-friendly streets of the first one in the UK was constructed in Cambridge in 2020. However, figures showed the roundabout had seen more collisions in the three years since it was built compared to its predecessor over the previous three years. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
