Safe Speed Forums

Here's a question for your combined driving wisdom:

New improved Black Cat roundabout on the A1 (A1/A421 Junction south of St. Neots in Beds) has the main A1 D/c splitting into 3-lanes as you approach the r/b.

To set the scene, the A1 runs north/south from the r/b, a new A421 D/C bypass and the old A421 extend west from the r/b. No exit to the east.

Piccy


Coming southbound, the right-hand lane is signposted for the new A421 (big new bypass D/c just opened), the left-hand 2 lanes for straight on to the southbound A1 - easy.

However, the northbound does the same thing, splitting into 3 lanes, but with no signs to tell you which lane goes where. Some people are assuming the left lane is for the new bypass only (which extends off to their left) and the remaining right-hand 2 lanes are for continuing along the A1 north - others assume the left lane is also for the A1 north.

This is causing all sorts of problems at the moment as drivers making different assumptions meet on a r/b that is only just 3-lanes wide (no markings on r/b). I have already seen a number of near misses.

So, which lane would you choose? Also, if you do think this is a bit screwy (it's not really dangerous as the impact speeds would be so low) then who do I need to speak to to get some signs put up?

View of current roundabout at;

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2& ... ne=4259409

Cheers Dr L,
nice image but that's the old roundabout - add a new whopping D/C between bedford road and the A1 north and increase the roundabout size by about 25% to bring things up to date.


One day maybe GetMapping!plc will GetofftheirArses!plc and fly some more modern images and stop peddling the old 1999 set.

We have a similar setup here with a new road off a roundabout. Where you have the old A421 we had a track that is now a road and another turning immediately after as you have the new D/C. I still keep to the left hand lane on approach from the south to take the second turning and in your diagram would do the same. I would say the middle lane on your roundabout is mainly for the second lane of the D/C but also for going straight on. The third lane is for going round the roundabout again in case you got confused the first time

from the diag i'd say:
left lane - 1st & 2nd exit
middle lane - 2nd & 3rd exit
right lane - 3rd exit or round again!

i've thought about this before and i'm in two minds how prescriptive roundabout markings should be. there's one off the ring road here in coventry that was pretty much unmarked and a definite 'best practice' developed... a majority took one approach .. and the rest went with the flow.

they changed it to very prescriptive lane markings taking circuitous routes round the roundabout and at the moment.. its mayhem.

i almost think they should put 'new road layout' signs up, give it a fortnight and then mark the lanes & signs as per the emerging best practice!

They have... Admittedly, most of the recent work seems to have been filling in the gaps in the Scotland data, but they've also been expanding the areas of higher-res coverage in Southern England and Wales.

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Chris

Two tricks I use when roudabouts are ambiguous:

Firstly in lighter traffic I might straddle a lane marking, effectively taking up two lanes. If done 'properly' it doesn't obstruct traffic flow, but it sure gives a lot more room.

Secondly, in heavier traffic, and especially where traffic is queued to enter the roundabout, I'll ensure that I'm either in front or behind of the chap alongside. This might mean pulling away enthusiastically or slowly depending on what the other folk do.

I think the golden rule in all such situations is: 'make space'.

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Paul Smith
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