This £2million UK roundabout closed just a week after it launched

A Dutch-style roundabout installed in Cambridge back in 2020 was closed just days after it was installed. The £2.3million roundabout was damaged by a hit-and-run driver and was closed for three nights back in August 2020. The unique roundabout gives special priority to cyclists and pedestrians and was a first for the country when it was fitted.

Soon after opening, a safety audit team reported 10 problems with the Cambridge Dutch-style roundabout. Royal HaskoningDHV UK who audited the site claims there were “areas of poor illumination” with fears road users “cannot see a second cyclist'.

Previously speaking to the BBC, local resident Neville Silverston feared the road was "very hazardous" for cyclists and pedestrians.

He said: "I don't think the design has any safety features for the people it was intended to be safe for. It's a very busy roundabout and motorists use it at quite high speed.

"It's too much for even an experienced driver to take in, with cyclists and pedestrians coming from left and right, and vehicles from the right.

"You would be looking for vehicles traversing in front of you while a cyclist can be coming at high speed from your left.”

Alex Beckett, chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council's highways and transport committee, stressed the route had undergone several safety audits since 2020.

He commented: "We have carried out regular road safety audits and recently commissioned a study to look at the nature of the incidents which will help inform any changes we might wish to make to this roundabout or any future roundabouts with similar design characteristics."

Cambridge is no longer the only Dutch-style roundabout in the UK with a second now fitted in Sheffield.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) recently claimed that Dutch-style roundabouts in the Netherlands have reduced crashes.

They stressed that serious incidents had fallen by around 46%, suggesting the roundabouts may be effective in boosting health and safety.

However, Caitlin Taylor, road safety manager at RoSPA stressed that there were concerns drivers could be confused at the new roundabouts.

She said: "Giving equal precedence to all road users such as cyclists, as well as pedestrians, creates a more inclusive environment while maintaining smooth vehicle flow.

"However, educating drivers will be crucial to prevent confusion and incidents, and clear signage and awareness campaigns will also be essential to ensure all road users understand the new layout.”