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Country's third Dutch-style roundabout set to open

George Carden
BBC News, Chichester
Josh McLaughlin/BBC The Dutch-style roundabout has islands between the roundabout and cycle lanes around the edge. There are cars driving round and several cones and signs set up Josh McLaughlin/BBC
The country's third Dutch-style roundabout is nearly complete in Chichester

A Dutch-style roundabout, which gives priority to cyclists and pedestrians, is set to open in Chichester.

Work started in June 2024 on the Westgate Roundabout near Chichester Cathedral, and it is due to open in the middle of February.

The design has a cycle lane separated from the road around the edge and zebra crossings on each exit.

The roundabout is expected to cost £950,000 and is part of the 750-home West of Chichester development.

Jubb Illustration shows a green painted cycle lane around the edge of the roundabout and zebra crossings on each exit Jubb
An illustration of what the finished roundabout should look like

This roundabout will be the third of its kind in the country. The first Dutch-style roundabout opened in Cambridge in 2020 and the second opened in Sheffield in December 2024.

Andrea O'Shea, project manager for Jubb, told BBC Radio Sussex: "The roundabout gives priority to non-motorised users, it will have a dedicated lane for cyclists who will have priority over cars.

"The concept comes from the Netherlands and has been brought across to try and improve cycle facilities in the UK.

"The completed scheme should actually not have a significant impact on traffic.

"We looked at a signalised crossroads but that didn't work with the traffic flow, so we developed the Dutch-style roundabout to address the concerns for traffic flows but also provide improvements for cyclists and pedestrians."

George Carden/BBC Andrea smiling at the camera wearing a high-vis with traffic behind her. She has medium length brown hair and a turtle neck jumperGeorge Carden/BBC
Andrea O'Shea said: "It should improve the traffic, it shouldn't impede the traffic in anyway"

Residents in Chichester had a mixed reaction to the roundabout.

Tim Smith said: "I cycle a lot, big roundabouts are pretty scary. A lot of the time you have to get off and walk around them.

"It can be quite difficult being a cyclist in England, sometimes you have cycle lanes and then suddenly they just disappear. It's a good idea if we can get a few more of them in."

Another resident described the design as a "nightmare" and said it was too complicated.

The roundabout is being paid for by developers Miller Homes and Vistry Southern, according to West Sussex County Council.

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