I had the delights of the Birdwell "lets confuse the motorists" scheme on Saturday.

Discussion in 'Bulletin Board' started by Mr Badger, Jan 27, 2020.

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  1. George Kerr

    George Kerr Well-Known Member

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    The ADS is on the RH side of the road because that is the natural sight line, the road bends to the left. If it was on the left it would be out of sight until it is too late. The road markings are quite specific A6135, A1(S) & A61, A61 & M1(N).
    There used to be a video on YouTube on 'How to navigate the Birdwell roundabout', but I think it has been taken down.
     
    George Kerr, Jan 27, 2020
    #21
  2. fir

    fired Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    No, but EVERY time there will be a car from either lane fighting for the inside lane. Worse than that is people in the right hand lane cutting across to go M1 North!!
     
    fired, Jan 27, 2020
    #22
  3. Old Goat

    Old Goat Well-Known Member

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    I like Birdwell roundabout. My favourite bit is when I get pipped at for getting it right by the bloke who got it wrong.
     
    Old Goat, Jan 27, 2020
    #23
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  4. DSLRed

    DSLRed Well-Known Member

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    Roundabouts shift traffic efficiently. That's why they were invented. That's why, even though its soulless, the road system in Milton Keynes works like a dream.

    I can't think there's many instances in the last 100 years where 4 way traffic lights work better than a roundabout. But then I don't work in road planning so it seems obvious to me.
     
    DSLRed, Jan 27, 2020
    #24
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  5. joh

    john coucom Well-Known Member

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    That’s why I don’t understand why they put traffic lights on a roundabout it defeats the whole object
     
    john coucom, Jan 27, 2020
    #25
  6. orsenkaht

    orsenkaht Well-Known Member

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    It is without doubt the worst traffic flow system in the Barnsley area, in my opinion.
     
    orsenkaht, Jan 27, 2020
    #26
  7. Mis

    MiserablePontyEnder Well-Known Member

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    Easy, once you get used to it. :D

    You just have to watch out for cocks driving Audis. :D
     
    MiserablePontyEnder, Jan 27, 2020
    #27
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  8. cudeth red

    cudeth red Well-Known Member

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    I know it’s not local but the magic roundabout at Swindon is the real daddy of em all
     
    cudeth red, Jan 27, 2020
    #28
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  9. She

    Shepley Red Well-Known Member

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    This is spot on, I've lost count of the number of times other drivers have cut me up at junction 37 because they don't understand how to use that roundabout and just switch lanes without any prior warning. It's really not difficult!
     
    Shepley Red, Jan 27, 2020
    #29
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  10. Jack Tatty

    Jack Tatty Well-Known Member

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    Eagerly awaits Penny Pie Park giratory system.
     
    Jack Tatty, Jan 27, 2020
    #30
  11. DSLRed

    DSLRed Well-Known Member

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    The magic roundabout near the university in Colchester is equally good fun. I learnt to drive on that thing. My instructor made me sit in a car park overlooking it so we could spend 5 minutes taking in how it works before he would let me near it. :)
     
    DSLRed, Jan 27, 2020
    #31
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  12. Jud

    Juddy G Well-Known Member

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    Oh it is ! Coming from Birdwell to go to Hoyland you are in the left of 3 lanes, you then have to move straight across to the third of 5 then drive in opposite direction it’s a balls up !
    That said I agree it pales into insignificance compared to Cundy Cross whoever designed that should have a Christmas tree inserted and pulled out
     
    Juddy G, Jan 28, 2020
    #32
  13. Farnham_Red

    Farnham_Red Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    There is one in Hemel Hemsptead that is almost identical - Id rather do either of them than Stairfoot when its busy

    The Birdwell one is confusing but once you know how it works its not so bad - problem is not everyone knows how it works especially the first time they encounter it

    I havent dared try the new improved Cundy Cross - it always used to work OK when a roundabout but I have avoided it since the improvements
     
    Farnham_Red, Jan 28, 2020
    #33
  14. Old Goat

    Old Goat Well-Known Member

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    Yes, it's not so much the roundabout, it's trying to do it with your head twisted to watch the car in your inside lane blind spot. It's a lot easier with a co-pilot.
     
    Old Goat, Jan 28, 2020
    #34
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  15. RedKen-dal

    RedKen-dal Well-Known Member

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    RedKen-dal, Jan 28, 2020
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  16. Carlycu5tard

    Carlycu5tard Well-Known Member

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    If you look at it from the air it's designed by a Satanist in the shape of the Sigil of Hastur - and at 8:30 am and 5:30 pm the whole motorway junction throbs with the low-grade animosity and frustration the drivers using it generate.

    That or somebody decided to recreate their 3 year olds scrawl from school as a road network
     
    Carlycu5tard, Jan 28, 2020
    #36
  17. Dragon Tyke

    Dragon Tyke Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely true
     
    Dragon Tyke, Jan 28, 2020
    #37
  18. der

    derred Member

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    Am sure I remember they used to sometimes stop traffic on the roundabout entrance/exit to take a herd of cows from the motorway side of Birdwell to the field near Rockingham cricket ground.
     
    derred, Jan 28, 2020
    #38
  19. Euroman

    Euroman Well-Known Member

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    I have driven around that roundabout many times. As a previous poster says "It's a doddle."
     
    Euroman, Jan 28, 2020
    #39
  20. pon

    pontyender Well-Known Member

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    I bet you didn't think so the first time you used it. The OP is a first time user. I thought, WTF!
     
    pontyender, Jan 28, 2020
    #40
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