Britain’s ‘most woke’ £2m ‘Dutch-style’ roundabout which needs a three-minute-long video explaining how to use it is due to open next week.
The roundabout, currently under construction in Hemel Hempstead, Herts., includes dedicated space for cyclists away from motorised vehicle traffic. The project is slated to open on June 6 but has been controversial with locals for its ‘inclusive route’ for cyclists and pedestrians.
It has been dubbed Britain’s ‘most woke’ roundabout because drivers must give priority to pedestrians, then cyclists, and then other cars and lorries before continuing on themselves.
Locals have pointed out the priority for cyclists and pedestrians is unnecessary as only cars and lorries regularly use the Boundary Way route. However many cyclists have welcomes the roundabout. Many believe that cyclists should have right of way because they are vulnerable road users, and prioritizing them can reduce accidents and improve road safety
It has also been branded as ‘complicated’ and ‘confusing’ with Hertfordshire County Council releasing a CGI walkthrough on how to use it. The three-minute long video explains to cyclists how they must give way to pedestrians and ‘keep attentive’ for cars – despite having priority on their segregated cycle track.
It also demonstrates how cars and lorries must give way to both cyclists and pedestrians when joining or leaving the roundabout.
Criticism has flooded in online with one local saying: “For cyclists heading to, or coming off of, the M1, this is money well spent.” Another said: “That’s going to be carnage at rush hour. Literally eyes needed everywhere. Assuming anyone uses it. I don’t like the idea of braking when exiting the roundabout to give way to pedestrians.”
However, the Highway Code does stat that drivers should give priority to cyclists on roundabouts and allow them to move across their path as they travel around.
Some locals have branded the roundabout an ‘disaster waiting to happen’ citing the similar Dutch-style one on Fenton Road, Cambridge.
In 2023, it was revealed the roundabout had seen more collisions in the three years since it was built compared to its predecessor over the previous three years.
Between 2020 and 2023, there had been ten collisions on the Fenton Road roundabout compared to six incidents between 2017-2019.
Speaking on the Herts roundabout, one man said: “There was a perfectly usable roundabout already there. Now they’ve pimped it up at great cost – what a joke.” Another added: “A disaster waiting to happen.”
The Herts roundabout has been funded by Active Travel England – the government’s executive agency for promoting walking, wheeling and cycling.
There are currently three Dutch-style roundabouts in operation around the UK.
The first one opened in Cambridge in 2020, followed by one in Sheffield in December 2024, and the third opened in Chichester in February 2025.
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