A new £20million roundabout in the heart of Basingstoke has received backlash for being confusing and difficult to use by residents who have called the two-year project a “monumental waste of public money”.
Brighton Hill roundabout forms part of Basingstoke’s A30 South West corridor and provides a critical route between the M3 Junction 7, the Ringway and adjoining links to the town’s retail and commercial centre. But the new design of the intersection has left residents feeling unsafe.
The roundabout has a toucan crossway cut through the middle for pedestrians and cyclists to access nearby shops.
The refurbishments to the area also brought in a new three metre wide fully segregated walking and cycling route alongside the existing footway in Brighton Way, between the Brighton Hill Roundabout and Sullivan Road.
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The council hopes the roundabout will reduce congestion
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
The project, which was spearheaded by Hampshire County Council and aimed to reduce congestion and make journey times more reliable for road users, has had the opposite effect.
Residents posted their outrage on Facebook with one user saying she felt unsafe and would rather use different crossing routes to access the retail parks nearby.
Commenting on the Facebook post, one angry resident said: “I went across it twice today, [the council] has turned a normal roundabout into a confusing race track with people [having] no idea what lane they are or should be in.
“The safe pedestrian underpass have gone leaving people to run the gauntlet of crossing busy roads at numerous traffic lights.
The £20million roundabout in July 2023 as work was concluding
YOUTUBE/HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
"The person responsible for this waste of public money needs sacking and that is putting it mildly.”
The roundabout has not only left pedestrians feeling confused. Motorists have also found the new layout difficult and signs misleading with one motorcyclist left injured after crashing into a car and breaking his leg in two places.
Reacting to the incident, a Facebook user said: “It was only a matter of time. Hope the rider's injuries aren't too serious and that the car driver isn't too shaken up.”
Another resident called the roundabout “pretty shoddy workmanship” while someone else said “it was fine as it was, now it's confusing as no one knows what is the correct lane”.
In 2020, the council approved revised scheme plans for the improvements to the roundabout with work commencing a year later.
The project received £11.6million from the EM3 local growth fund and £7.65million from Hampshire County Council.
Councillor Nick Adams-King, said: “The new roundabout is an important part of our plans to improve access to Basingstoke along the A30 corridor making travel easier for road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
“Upgrading the road network here will also support the area’s regeneration by encouraging investment and generating jobs.
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The roundabout has been slammed by local residents
YOUTUBE/HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
"We know there has been disruption during construction of the roundabout and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience over this time.”