Drivers are facing a daily battle with what has been branded the UK's most bewildering roundabout, a junction so complex it has been labelled a "monster" and is notorious for sending motorists in the wrong direction.
A Recipe for Road Chaos
Situated near Colchester's railway station, the North Station roundabout is a hotspot for near-accidents, with its confusing layout placing immense stress on those trying to navigate it. The junction's most staggering feature is its forest of traffic signals, which now numbers a record-breaking 48 individual traffic lights.
This count has recently increased due to additional signals installed to handle rising traffic, allowing it to overtake the previous record-holder, the Grovehill Junction in Beverley, East Yorkshire, which had 42 sets.
Dashcam Evidence of Confusion
The sheer pandemonium has been captured extensively online, with numerous YouTube dashcam videos revealing the alarming consequences of the roundabout's design. One particularly shocking clip shows a vehicle travelling backwards around the roundabout before swerving dangerously across a lane directly into the path of oncoming traffic to reach an exit.
Another piece of footage demonstrates a car proceeding the wrong way around the circulatory carriageway while stubbornly remaining in the inside lane. These incidents highlight a fundamental bewilderment over which lanes to use for a safe passage.
Why Is This Roundabout So Problematic?
While the layout itself is a primary culprit, local reports suggest other factors intensify the chaos. The roundabout sits at the heart of a major traffic-generating zone, positioned close to the busy Colchester Hospital, a large ASDA superstore, and the town's train station. This concentration of destinations ensures traffic flow here is far heavier than at a typical junction.
The North Station gyratory is not alone in infuriating British motorists. For years, drivers in Swansea have grappled with the perplexing Ynysforgan roundabout, with some opting for lengthy detours to avoid it entirely. One driver told WalesOnline of her anxiety, stating, "My foot is constantly hovering over the brake while I’m driving on it and I’m constantly looking over my shoulder because I’m so paranoid somebody is going to hit me."
This sentiment is likely echoed by many who approach the 48 traffic lights of Colchester's notorious North Station roundabout, a junction that has firmly cemented its reputation as a national blackspot for driver confusion.
