The Swindon Magic Roundabout

gareth6344

I had the (mis)fortune of visiting Swindon a couple of days ago. I had to use this junction several times from various directions and I'm left really bemused.

For example using this diagram of it here: cbrd.co.uk/indepth/magicroundabout/img/magic.jpg, say I wanted to travel from County road to Drove road via the Fleming Way roundabout.

The county road mini-roundabout can be entered from 3 possible lanes and from there I need to enter the Fleming way mini-rounabout which has 4 lanes on entry and then the Drove road roundabout which has 3 lanes on entry. The thing I don't understand is how you are supposed to know which lane you need to use to access another without cutting anyone up?

Strider590

Most people just go all the way around the outside.....

Muscle750

Well it is Swindon which is full of "overseas visitors" whose vehicles cant be traced because they got PL on the plate so if you hit someone it wont matter anyway if you want to see some class in Swindon visit the main bus station everytime i use the National express coach to London and it calls into this tranquil inner area the place is swarming with rats and alcholics

patman99

We have the same set-up in Colchester, so Swindon's '5 mini-roundabouts around one big one' is in no way unique. Unlike Swindonians however, we are yet to launch a range of clothing sporting the 'I've survived the Colchester magic roundabout' message.

Apples2

Last time I went through that I was in the back of a minibus, our driver must have closed his eyes and "went for it", we were on two wheels at one point.

wallbash

Just Googled Earth , seems no harder than our Magic roundabout at Hemel Hempsted.

TrickyWicky

Never driven over it yet but a number of years ago before I knew it existed I was in someones car that did.

The first thing I thought was "Oh **** this guy ain't safe on the road, he's just gone over a roundabout the wrong way round" :rotfl: Then I noticed the arrows pointing counter clockwise (so I can noly assume it was the magic roundabout) and realised he'd actually done the right thing. It really did make me feel a bit nervous though it must be said.

Still, I'd like to give it a try one day as a driver.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Before I retired, I had to negotiate the Swindon magic roundabout many times, and honestly I had no problem at all finding any of the exits I wanted. You just had to be careful and watch what you were doing, which is what you should do anyway when driving.

anotherbaldrick

wallbash wrote: »

Just Googled Earth , seems no harder than our Magic roundabout at Hemel Hempsted.

The one in Hemel Hempstead you just have to watch for people coming the wrong way through it.