Britain's most confusing roundabout has 58 sets of traffic lights!
London | September 04, 2010 12:01:13 AM IST
 

A roundabout in Britain, which is said to be the most confusing, has 58 sets of traffic lights and the council wants to add more.

There are already fifty-eight sets of lights controlling traffic around the Milbrook roundabout, and road campaigners have called for traffic lights to be removed in a bid to ease congestion.

But traffic planners in Southampton, Hampshire, say it is necessary to add two more lights on the approach to cope with increased traffic levels from a new recycling centre.

Edmond King, president of motoring organisation The AA, blasted the decision.

"It does look incredibly complex already. We would suggest they have a rethink," the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.

The original project to install traffic lights and resurface the roundabout sparked outcry from drivers when it was unveiled.

It was completed 500,000 pounds over budget at a cost of 2.6 million pounds.

The council said the number of traffic lights and toucan crossings were needed to improve traffic flow and pedestrian and cyclist safety.

But Michael Nobes, boss of Richmond Hyundai in Southampton, said the city's sluggish traffic flows were already hitting many businesses.

"It's bad enough as it is. If you stop the flow of traffic it will just back up. Start slowing it down even more and it will just be gridlock," he said.

"Why can't they just use a little bit more land to allow for a filter lane? They always go for the cheaper option of traffic lights.

"The council needs to start thinking about switching off traffic lights not adding new ones," he added.

Sales assistant Rachel Smart, 28, who uses the roundabout every day on the way to and from work, said she found it "frustrating".

"Traffic flow around Southampton is a nightmare - it takes ages to get anywhere," she stated.

"There are traffic lights at almost every turn and this roundabout is the worst example of effective traffic control.

"It takes a lifetime to get from one side of the roundabout to the other because it is stop-start the whole way round.

"You move forward a few yards and think you are making progress but then have to slam on the brakes as another set of lights turns red - it's maddening.

"The council should be removing lights and letting traffic flow naturally.

"On the plus side, you could hold quite a good disco on this roundabout because the different coloured lights are flashing and changing all the time," she added.

A spokesman for Southampton City Council said: "The timing of the new lights will be coordinated with the phasing on the existing lights on the roundabout, so there should not be additional delays." (ANI)

 

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