Dear Editor,

Black Dam Roundabout I cannot comment on specific accidents on Black Dam Roundabout, because I do not have sufficient details. However I should wish to make some observations and suggestions.

1. I do not see as a problem the provision for traffic from the M3 to cross straight over the roundabout. This has undoubtedly done much to alleviate the problem of traffic queuing to leave the M3 for Basingstoke. A similar system has worked in Bracknell for many years.

2. However I do not like the arrangement whereby traffic from Hatch (A30) does a right turn across the roundabout. Traffic on completion of this turn sees just ahead traffic lights, which may be on red. On a conventional cross roads, traffic would expect to see red traffic lights after the turn, but these lights are for cross traffic, and turning traffic can proceed. I wonder how many motorists have been confused at this roundabout and gone through red lights.

3. Drivers sometimes make U-turns on roundabouts for various reasons. On this roundabout it is impossible to perform a U-turn from the north (I tried to, once), unless one disobeys two banned-turn signs. Probably not many drivers perform U-turns here so this may not seem relevant. However it affects the following.

4. The recent unfortunate accidents occurred when the traffic lights were not working. My intuition, when faced with failed traffic lights, would be to circumnavigate the roundabout in a conventional manner, observing the usual priority to the right, and not drive across the roundabout, thus conflicting with crossing traffic with no clearly defined priorities. But this is not possible. The same signage that prevents a U-turn from the north also prevents traffic from the M3 from taking any course other than straight across. It similarly affords no safe alternative to right-turning traffic from Hatch.

My suggestion would be to get rid of the right turn across the roundabout and adjust the lanes so that complete circumnavigation is possible.

Yours faithfully,

Denis McMahon

Oakley