The Magic Roundabout is a remarkable circular junction situated in Swindon, Wiltshire, South West England. It is located close to County Ground and is considered to be one of the most complicated and challenging intersections in the country.
Designed by Frank Blackmore, a traffic engineer at the British Transport and Road Research Laboratory, The Magic Roundabout features five smaller roundabouts arranged in a circle, making it a highly unusual and complex intersection. The traffic flow on the small inner roundabout is counterclockwise, while it is clockwise in the five micro roundabouts and the outer loop.
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Despite being ranked as the fourth-most frightening intersection in Britain by Britannia Rescue, The Magic Roundabout is also considered to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing junctions in the world when viewed from above.
Since its construction in 1972, the overall configuration of The Magic Roundabout has remained largely unchanged. However, during its inauguration, the micro roundabouts were not permanently marked on the ground and could be reconfigured in case the layout was not deemed satisfactory. To manage the traffic flow during this period, police officers were stationed at each gyratory.
Although The Magic Roundabout may appear confusing and challenging to navigate, it remains open to motorists all year round. While there have been 14 serious accidents and approximately 100 recorded in the past 25 years, it is still considered to have a lower accident rate than other similarly busy junctions.
If you are travelling along the M4, Swindon’s Magic Roundabout is definitely worth a visit. It is a fascinating and unique attraction that offers visitors a chance to witness something truly remarkable.
