Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

The study of British and Irish roads - their construction, numbering, history, mapping, past and future official roads proposals and general roads musings.

There is a separate forum for Street Furniture (traffic lights, street lights, road signs etc).

Registered users get access to other forums including discussions about other forms of transport, driving, fantasy roads and wishlists, and roads quizzes.

Moderator: Site Management Team

User avatar
Gareth Thomas
Member
Posts: 1718
Joined: Mon May 03, 2004 13:43
Location: Temple Ewell, Kent
Contact:

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by Gareth Thomas »

When I first saw this video, my first thoughts were that the priority was wrong. I thought it was the A326 that had to stop for a minor road, because of this sign. Note the lack of brackets on "A326". So I thought, "the priority needs changing for a start".

Upon looking the junction up on Google Maps and realising the roads are all unclassified, and the sign is wrong, I calmed down a bit. :-P

Staggering does seem to be the easiest and most logical solution, and if this junction were anywhere else I suspect that's what would happen - but as mentioned in the video, the New Forest Verderers will most likely block any attempt to do anything whatsoever. Sometimes I'm amazed the A31 still isn't a country track.....
My journey with testicular cancer!
https://garethishalfnuts.wordpress.com/

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads..."
-Dr Emmett Brown
User avatar
James
Member
Posts: 505
Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2002 17:54
Location: Gibraltar

Most dangerous crossroads?

Post by James »

I was suggested this video for the most dangerous crossroads
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYeeTvitvFU

I think its likely an overreaction, however was interesting to see how such subtle geometry can change the appearance and safety of a junction

If there is the issue here, as others have suggested then reducing visability (with a fence or other similar object) would probably fix a lot of the problems here. Strange to see they managed to get Stop signs installed on such a location as it is!
User avatar
Stevie D
Member
Posts: 8000
Joined: Wed Dec 20, 2006 17:19
Location: Yorkshire

Re: Most dangerous crossroads?

Post by Stevie D »

James wrote: Thu May 21, 2020 19:35 I was suggested this video for the most dangerous crossroads
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYeeTvitvFU

I think its likely an overreaction, however was interesting to see how such subtle geometry can change the appearance and safety of a junction

If there is the issue here, as others have suggested then reducing visability (with a fence or other similar object) would probably fix a lot of the problems here. Strange to see they managed to get Stop signs installed on such a location as it is!
We've already got a thread on this here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41363
User avatar
James
Member
Posts: 505
Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2002 17:54
Location: Gibraltar

Re: Most dangerous crossroads?

Post by James »

Stevie D wrote: Thu May 21, 2020 19:57
We've already got a thread on this here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41363
Sorry missed that one!
User avatar
Arcuarius
Member
Posts: 4664
Joined: Tue Jun 13, 2006 17:14
Location: Sherwood

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by Arcuarius »

ScottyW wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2020 00:19Nope. You've judged someone you don't know on one video.

He's done lectures for the Royal Institute - e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leX541Dr2rU

He also has a group of friends he does fun (and unique) gameshows with on Youtube.
Ah, a man of culture, I see. Another TechDif fan here :D

But yes, YouTube is Tom's full time job and he's done amazingly well to get where he is now. A quick search on his channel will show that.
"Accuse the other side of that which you are guilty."
- some extreme-right nutcase


1973-2007 Never forgotten
ScottyW
New Member
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Apr 12, 2020 23:06
Location: Boston, Lincolnshire

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by ScottyW »

Arcuarius wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 09:36 Ah, a man of culture, I see. Another TechDif fan here :D
Mystery biscuits!
User avatar
jervi
Member
Posts: 1594
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 16:29
Location: West Sussex

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by jervi »

Looks like work to realign Ipley cross crossroads to a staggered junction ready to being.
Cycled past it 10 days ago and there is fencing up over the new alignment of the road to keep the animals off of it.
https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/tran ... crossroads
According to the website, main works are starting "early September" and should take 6 weeks to complete. Although one.network is saying 27th September - 5 November.
Al__S
Member
Posts: 491
Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2017 10:56

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by Al__S »

jervi wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 13:03 Looks like work to realign Ipley cross crossroads to a staggered junction ready to being.
Cycled past it 10 days ago and there is fencing up over the new alignment of the road to keep the animals off of it.
https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/tran ... crossroads
According to the website, main works are starting "early September" and should take 6 weeks to complete. Although one.network is saying 27th September - 5 November.
Looking up the planning application, there were two objections, both clearly from experts One makes a claim that he uses the junction "several times a day" which seems unlikely?
User avatar
danfw194
Member
Posts: 925
Joined: Sat May 26, 2018 23:26
Location: Leicester

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by danfw194 »

JammyDodge wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2020 22:05
Keiji wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2020 21:43
bart wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2020 21:24 There's a STOP sign. Put a couple of speed bumps on the approach to make sure approaching cars have to reduce their speed.
Tom says in the video that it's not legal to install speed bumps on a road that doesn't have street lighting.

To me, the best solution would appear to be a roundabout. Like any roundabout, it'd force all traffic to slow down at the junction and look for conflicting traffic. I've not seen this idea mentioned so far.
While a roundabout would be desirable, it is not practical in reality. It would cost too much and take up more land than simply staggering the junction. He mentioned that just staggering the junction would cost £100,000.
Out of interest do you have any idea on the cost of a roundabout? I genuinely don't, but would be curious to know. I guess it's difficult to say because ultimately roundabouts can come in many different sizes and forms. My first thought with any kind of crossroads with space around it like this is 'roundabout', but staggering should do the trick I guess.
User avatar
Stevie D
Member
Posts: 8000
Joined: Wed Dec 20, 2006 17:19
Location: Yorkshire

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by Stevie D »

danfw194 wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 14:00Out of interest do you have any idea on the cost of a roundabout? I genuinely don't, but would be curious to know. I guess it's difficult to say because ultimately roundabouts can come in many different sizes and forms. My first thought with any kind of crossroads with space around it like this is 'roundabout', but staggering should do the trick I guess.
I think the vertical alignment is the main thing that steers this junction away from a roundabout – it's on quite a slope, which is far from ideal for a roundabout, either from a construction or safety point of view.
User avatar
Bryn666
Elected Committee Member
Posts: 35714
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2002 20:54
Contact:

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by Bryn666 »

Stevie D wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 16:13
danfw194 wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 14:00Out of interest do you have any idea on the cost of a roundabout? I genuinely don't, but would be curious to know. I guess it's difficult to say because ultimately roundabouts can come in many different sizes and forms. My first thought with any kind of crossroads with space around it like this is 'roundabout', but staggering should do the trick I guess.
I think the vertical alignment is the main thing that steers this junction away from a roundabout – it's on quite a slope, which is far from ideal for a roundabout, either from a construction or safety point of view.
Most likely this - you do not want a roundabout on a hill as the camber goes bonkers and try draining it...

Staggering or closing an arm to traffic is the most practical fix really.
Bryn
Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.

Blog - https://showmeasign.online/
X - https://twitter.com/ShowMeASignBryn
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BrynBuck
User avatar
Owain
Elected Committee Member
Posts: 26147
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 17:02
Location: Leodis

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by Owain »

Bryn666 wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 17:40
Stevie D wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 16:13I think the vertical alignment is the main thing that steers this junction away from a roundabout – it's on quite a slope, which is far from ideal for a roundabout, either from a construction or safety point of view.
Most likely this - you do not want a roundabout on a hill as the camber goes bonkers and try draining it...
This one's a shocker!
Former President & F99 Driver

Viva la Repubblica!
User avatar
JammyDodge
Member
Posts: 483
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2018 13:17

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by JammyDodge »

Owain wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 17:51
Bryn666 wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 17:40
Stevie D wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 16:13I think the vertical alignment is the main thing that steers this junction away from a roundabout – it's on quite a slope, which is far from ideal for a roundabout, either from a construction or safety point of view.
Most likely this - you do not want a roundabout on a hill as the camber goes bonkers and try draining it...
This one's a shocker!
I think this is worse, especially for hgvs
Designing Tomorrow, Around the Past
User avatar
wrinkly
Member
Posts: 8984
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:17
Location: Leeds

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by wrinkly »

Nobody mentioned this one yet!?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.96471 ... 384!8i8192

It also used to be notable for having a signed C road.
User avatar
Owain
Elected Committee Member
Posts: 26147
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 17:02
Location: Leodis

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by Owain »

Looks like we need a thread called "Wonky Roundabouts".
Former President & F99 Driver

Viva la Repubblica!
User avatar
Chris5156
Deputy Treasurer
Posts: 16896
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2001 21:50
Location: Hampshire
Contact:

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by Chris5156 »

Owain wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 17:51
Bryn666 wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 17:40
Stevie D wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 16:13I think the vertical alignment is the main thing that steers this junction away from a roundabout – it's on quite a slope, which is far from ideal for a roundabout, either from a construction or safety point of view.
Most likely this - you do not want a roundabout on a hill as the camber goes bonkers and try draining it...
This one's a shocker!
Now that you're in Leeds I expected your link to take me here! GSV makes it look less dippy than it really is.
User avatar
FosseWay
Assistant Site Manager
Posts: 19591
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2006 22:26
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by FosseWay »

This one on the A61 in Chesterfield has always struck me as a bit extreme, especially for a multilane roundabout with dual carriageway entrance/exit, and especially when I was driving my dad's Renault 4, trying to enter the roundabout from the lowest entry point.
Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki today!
Have you browsed SABRE Maps recently? Try getting involved!
User avatar
the cheesecake man
Member
Posts: 2457
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 13:21
Location: Sheffield

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by the cheesecake man »

FosseWay wrote: Mon Sep 20, 2021 10:14 This one on the A61 in Chesterfield has always struck me as a bit extreme, especially for a multilane roundabout with dual carriageway entrance/exit, and especially when I was driving my dad's Renault 4, trying to enter the roundabout from the lowest entry point.
I've always hated that roundabout too and never really understood why.
User avatar
Owain
Elected Committee Member
Posts: 26147
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 17:02
Location: Leodis

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by Owain »

Chris5156 wrote: Mon Sep 20, 2021 09:46
Owain wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 17:51
Bryn666 wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 17:40
Most likely this - you do not want a roundabout on a hill as the camber goes bonkers and try draining it...
This one's a shocker!
Now that you're in Leeds I expected your link to take me here! GSV makes it look less dippy than it really is.
I live on the western side of the city, so I rarely drive around there. I have done it, though, and not really noticed the incline.

Considering the example that JammyDodge posted above, which is quite similar to my Northern Irish example, I'm guessing that the size of the thing makes quite a difference to how it is perceived.
Former President & F99 Driver

Viva la Repubblica!
User avatar
jonnyf90
Member
Posts: 431
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 22:53
Location: Between Derby and Nottingham

Re: Britain's Most Dangerous Crossroads - Tom Scott

Post by jonnyf90 »

wrinkly wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 18:30 Nobody mentioned this one yet!?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.96471 ... 384!8i8192

It also used to be notable for having a signed C road.
I'll see your roundabout and I'll raise you a 2-tier roundabout/gyratory on the Isle of Wight:

https://goo.gl/maps/TqfWSywPKpFQs7rB9

Cheers
Una vida, bien vivida.
Veni, vidi, vici.
Post Reply