Anger at new city center roundabout with 36 traffic lights which locals say causes more traffic jams than it solves

Angry residents have defaced a new city center roundabout with 36 traffic lights, which they say is causing more traffic jams than it is solving.

The ‘signaled’ roundabout in Cambridge was installed as part of a nearly £32 million plan for road improvements in the city, aimed at improving traffic flow and pedestrian and cyclist safety.

On Tuesday, October 8, all 36 lights were turned on for the first time at the renovated intersection, which took two years to build and includes pedestrian crossings and a dedicated bicycle path.

But since then there has been a flood of complaints from angry locals, who claim the new layout and lights do nothing but make existing traffic jams worse.

Residents of the area have branded the outcome ‘ridiculous’ and complained of long queues when they stand at the red light, even though there is no traffic on the roundabout itself.

Dozens of traffic lights have been installed at the roundabout in Cambridge and street furniture was turned on for the first time earlier this week. Pictured: An aerial view of the roundabout with more than 30 traffic lights circled

The reworked intersection at Milton Road and Elizabeth Way now has pelican crossings for pedestrians and cyclists. In the photo: a cyclist uses the newly constructed pedestrian crossings

However, the changes have angered locals who say it is now causing more traffic jams than it solves. In the photo: the pedestrian light on red warns people on foot not to cross the road

The roundabout, which is located at the intersection of Milton Road and Elizabeth Way in the East Anglian town, had been there for decades, but work to change it has been taking place since 2022.

Dozens of traffic lights have been installed at the intersection, along with three pelican crossings, one zebra crossing and two dedicated bicycle lanes.

It was done as part of the Milton Road Improvement Scheme, a £31.9m project of the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) – a body made up of three councils, the University of Cambridge and a local business partnership.

However, the locals are not really impressed with the results so far. Many are taking to online to express their frustration at the delays they say the new traffic lights are causing.

One person said on Reddit: ‘Originally I thought the lights would only be for pedestrians when they want to cross, but no, these lights are always on!’

They added: ‘I’ve traveled through it twice at off-peak times and each time there was a long queue of cars standing still because the red light was on for an incredibly long time while there was no traffic on the roundabout itself.

“Besides, don’t traffic lights defeat the purpose of a roundabout?”

Another said: ‘It’s ridiculous, I’ve lived here near the roundabout for over 20 years.

The changes to the roundabout have been carried out as part of a £31.9 million road improvement program in the area. In the photo: an aerial photo of the roundabout

Some motorists have branded the reworked intersection as ‘ridiculous’. Pictured: A top view of the roundabout after the changes were made

Pictured: Vehicles can be seen queuing at the traffic lights while they remain on red even though there is little to no traffic on the roundabout itself

Locals say the traffic lights are causing more traffic jams than before as they remain red even when there are no vehicles on the roundabout. In the photo: a red traffic light on the roundabout

‘Cars are now being stopped unnecessarily and emergency vehicles are being sirened because of the lights late at night.

“I had trouble getting out of the driveway because no one would let me out because they had to wait in line themselves.”

Another said: ‘The whole point of roundabouts is that they don’t need traffic lights to function. If there is light, they might as well form an intersection.’

One resident said the changes were ‘totally unnecessary’, adding: ‘All the time we lived here until this crazy plan started we never had any problems with it as a pedestrian, cyclist or motorist.’

MailOnline has contacted GCP for comment on the complaints.

When the lights were switched on earlier this week, a GCP spokesperson told the BBC: ‘We would like to thank everyone for their patience as we got the signals up and running at the roundabout.

‘The new design has special crossing facilities for walkers and cyclists, so that people can cross safely even at the busiest times.

‘These features mean parents, children and commuters can have the confidence to walk and cycle along Milton Road, whether to the shops, school or work.

‘Working with the community, we have added new flowers and different types of trees to the roundabout.’

They added: ‘As well as brightening up the area as an attractive place to live, walk, cycle or drive, it also improves biodiversity and helps support vegetation growth.

‘We would like to thank everyone who helped realize the roundabout.’