O/T Dutch-style roundabout in Cambridge

Discussion in 'Bulletin Board' started by cambstyke, Mar 12, 2020.

  1. cam

    cambstyke Well-Known Member

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    As you may know, cycling in Cambridge is very popular, so much so the County Council started work on a Dutch-style roundabout in September 2019.

    These roundabouts prioritise cyclists (see BBC article for an image - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-51816056).

    It was estimated to cost £800,000, but is running over budget at £1.8 million, and is over-running completion by 3 months. It is being built on a key route in Cambridge, and the locals aren't happy.

    I appreciate many people won't be interested as cycling isn't as popular in Barnsley (I think!), but I just thought I'd post this to see what people think. Is it a waste of money? Could it happen in Barnsley?
     
    cambstyke, Mar 12, 2020
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  2. HarpStaysSharp

    HarpStaysSharp Active Member

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    I bet there will be an amazing amount of rear-end shunts with people stopping when coming off the roundabout. Looks a bit of a daft design to me.
     
    HarpStaysSharp, Mar 12, 2020
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  3. cam

    cambstyke Well-Known Member

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    Exactly my thoughts.
     
    cambstyke, Mar 12, 2020
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  4. Jay

    Jay Well-Known Member

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    No problem with the idea but I'm always amazed how much these things cost.

    As for the design... Looks like a good way to kill cyclists to me. I'm sure regular users will get used to it, but until they do, and for people who don't use the roundabout regularly, they're not going to expect a cyclist riding straight across the road in front of them when exiting a roundabout.
     
    Jay, Mar 12, 2020
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  5. Donny Red

    Donny Red Well-Known Member

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    Highway planners from Wakefield must have been on the same roundabout construction course as the
    guy from Cambridge as they seem to be cropping up in the City. Went down the A650 from the M1 ( Jct 41)
    to Newton Bar the other day and was surprised at the number of alterations that have occurred since I use
    to work on the 41 Industrial Park.
     
    Donny Red, Mar 12, 2020
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  6. Sta

    Stahlrost Well-Known Member

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    All roundabouts in Germany are such that cyclists, and pedestrians, have priority over cars when crossing the road entering the roundabout. They also have priority when crossing a minor road at its junction with a larger road. I have to continually warn my wife about this when she's in the UK, as even after 20 years she sometimes forgets that she can't just cross a road without looking.
     
    Stahlrost, Mar 12, 2020
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  7. e-red

    e-red Well-Known Member

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    Just like “smart” motorways nobody understands it. Perhaps it’s from the same stable. It’s also blocked off one of Cherry Hinton’s main roads.
     
    e-red, Mar 12, 2020
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  8. MDG

    MDG Well-Known Member

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    Complete waste of money at that price for a bit of red paint and moving some lines about..

    Somebody is really lining their pockets on that project.
     
    MDG, Mar 12, 2020
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  9. cam

    cambstyke Well-Known Member

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    It will probably take quite a bit of getting used to.
     
    cambstyke, Mar 12, 2020
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  10. cam

    cambstyke Well-Known Member

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    Interesting. Exactly what Jay and myself and others think.
     
    cambstyke, Mar 12, 2020
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  11. cam

    cambstyke Well-Known Member

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    Yes, I feel really sorry for people in that area. Luckily I don't have to travel in that direction, but if you have to do so on a daily basis, it must be horrendous.
     
    cambstyke, Mar 12, 2020
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  12. Stephen Dawson

    Stephen Dawson Well-Known Member

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    They ought to bring back the Magic Roundabout.
     
    Stephen Dawson, Mar 12, 2020
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  13. Sta

    Stahlrost Well-Known Member

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    It works perfectly in Germany as everyone knows the rules, which are simple. Far safer than here, where pedestrians take risks at busy roundabouts while waiting for a chance to cross.
     
    Stahlrost, Mar 12, 2020
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  14. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Well-Known Member

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    I genuinely can't see it working as intended for the reasons already stated and the cultural differences between here and Holland when it comes to cycling.
     
    MarioKempes, Mar 12, 2020
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  15. Fre

    Freddiel Well-Known Member

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    We struggle to design decent roundabouts for cars to be fair. All these modern road schemes to increase capacity just never work. Most of the time they’ll do anything they can to avoid grade separation when it’s obviously the best solution.

    I saw some plans the other day suggesting another roundabout will be added to the Dearne Valley Parkway between KFC and Shortwood Roundabout!
     
    Freddiel, Mar 12, 2020
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  16. Runner

    Runner Well-Known Member

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    We're slowly taking over the country, one roudabout at a time!
     
    Runner, Mar 12, 2020
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