We live by the UK’s ‘WORST’ roundabout – it’s so confusing no one knows how to use it properly… it needs to be fixed
PEOPLE living by the UK’s ‘worst’ roundabout say it is so confusing nobody knows how to use it.
Residents at the Deanery Road Roundabout in Warmley, Bristol, have demanded action after faded road markings left drivers fearful for their lives.
The roundabout where the A4174 and A420 meet has been criticised by baffled road users since last year.
Local driving instructors are complaining their students don’t know how to use it.
Richard Sweeting, said: “Since July 2022, I have been reporting an issue to South Gloucestershire Council regarding the faded road markings.”
“This roundabout is one used on driving test routes and recently, one of my students failed their test, the reason being stated as ‘incorrect positioning’ on this roundabout.
“This was due to these faded, and almost non-existence road markings.”
South Gloucestershire Council says the repainting work will be done in the spring when the weather improves.
A spokesperson said: “We are currently carrying out a significant programme of work to refresh the lane markings along large sections of the A4174 which include those at Deanery Road Roundabout.
“We have already begun refreshing the centre and edge of carriageway lines between Hicks Gate Roundabout and the M32.”
But now drivers are fearing for their lives as disappearing markings may “kill someone”.
Another driving instructor in the area, Matthew Stroud, said: “We are supposed to teach people to drive, i.e., follow signs and road markings, but it all falls apart when you can’t see the road markings.
“We (instructors) then have to revert to getting students to memorise the roundabouts which isn’t teaching people to drive, it’s turning them into robots.”
He fumed: “One day someone will be killed on this roundabout.
“If it was my family member, I’d be asking why did it happen?
“They will start rushing when there’s a fatality involving a bike as a result of drivers not knowing what lane they need.”
It comes as other residents were also complaining about a confusing roundabout in Swindon, Wiltshire, were accidents are common.
Local chiropractor Sally Hobbs, 51, admitted that while she was “proud” of the roundabout, it did make driving more difficult.
She told The Sun Online: “People chance their arm a lot. I’ve been in one crash myself. It was with someone who doesn’t know how to use it”.