Kent County Council (KCC) has revealed plans for the new ‘Turbo Roundabout’ at the Running Horse Roundabout, near Maidstone, which links the M20 with the A229 Chatham Road.
Unlike normal roundabouts, Turbo Roundabouts – which originated from The Netherlands – require drivers to choose the direction they plan to travel in before entering the roundabout. Lanes are separated by coloured markings and lines preventing motorists from switching lanes whilst on the roundabout circulatory. Encouraging drivers already on the roundabout to use better lane discipline should make it easier for drivers to enter the roundabout from other approaches.
As well as increased lines and coloured surfacing, engineers will change the signage on the approaches to the roundabout in all directions to raise awareness of the new style.
Works to convert the roundabout will take place between 8pm and 5am for up to three weeks from April 15th. The works will cost about £650,000.
Existing informal cycling and pedestrian crossing points will be retained.
In the past three years, 13 personal injury crashes have been reported to us, making this junction a key priority for work to reduce injuries on the public highway. The figure for the past five years is 29.
Given the extremely high volume of traffic that uses this route day after day, we are warning people of this change in advance of the works taking place, which are essential to ensure the safety of all road users.
Notes to editors
A turbo-roundabout is a relatively new type of roundabout, which provides a spiralling flow of traffic, requiring drivers to choose their direction before entering the roundabout. The first turbo-roundabout was built in the Netherlands in 2000 and soon became so popular that the Dutch government developed its own design guidelines. As of today, there are nearly 300 turbo-roundabouts in the Netherlands.
[Source: http://www.turboroundabout.com/turbo-roundabout.html]
