NO this is not about Dougal and his magic Roundabout,
but about this amazingly complicated roundabout in Swindon.
It has five roundabouts within a larger one !!
In fact it's so complex, there are special instructions on the web about how to tackle it
There are five or six of these colossal contraptions in Britain. They are called counter flow roundabouts because traffic in the Inner Circle circulates counter-clockwise while the Outer Circle goes conventionally clockwise. This one at Swindon, way west of London, was the first. It is named for a children's TV programme which used a roundabout as a time machine.
The graphic shows two possible routes to move from south to east. Tourists should follow the red path; keep in the Outer Circle all the way round and leave the yellow "Pro Driver Path" to the locals, who have roundabouts in their blood and know where they are going. The amazing thing is that if you obey the dashed white GIVE WAY lines (Yield Points), it works, beautifully!
The very first roundabout built in the UK is at Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire.
There's a book call "Roundabouts of Britain"
This is the first ever book devoted to the popular hobby of roundabout spotting. A self-confessed traffic-island fanatic, author Kevin Beresford has travelled the length and breadth of the country to record the very best of the species, which range in scope from humble painted minis to magnificent landscaped beauties. Some feature works of art or are wildlife havens, others are sources of local history or simply have that certain something that sets them apart.
Like these two examples - the Brits are mad keen gardeners and it reflects in their roundabouts. These are in Exmouth :
The French are also keen on beautifying theirs. STUNNING roundabouts in France
The one on the left has a complete model of a local chateau, complete with gardens.
This one has walls, waterfall and trellis !
There is a British Roundabout Appreciation Society
My friend Diane and I are thinking of starting a Dutch version.....
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