A post on a Sheffield cyclist group on Facebook has brought about debate around the suitability of a Dutch-style roundabout that was unveiled in West Bar in December last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u00a318m roundabout, which experienced over a year of delays, was designed in order to give priority to cyclists and pedestrians travelling through the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking back in September, Councillor Ben Miskell, of Sheffield City Council, said: \u201cFor too long people wanting to cross West Bar roundabout to get around the city have had to wait for a gap in the traffic to do so in a safe manner. The changes we are delivering will make it easier for those on foot or on their bike in two fantastic new ways.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Five months since the roundabout’s completion, cyclists in Sheffield have shared concerns over its practicality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to ShefNews, Dominic Watts, 55, shared a post to Cycle Sheffield\u2019s Facebook page earlier this month describing his experience on the cycle path along Gibraltar Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cAll of a sudden there\u2019s a left hand turn that you have to do with a bollard right in the middle of it. The only way to approach that safely is to reduce speed quite substantially, which is a bit difficult when there\u2019s a car fairly close behind.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Approaching the roundabout there are four designated cycle paths, with a further four zebra crossings at the roundabout to allow for pedestrian priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Watts continued: \u201cIt just feels like it\u2019s been designed on paper, without any thought about how it would be used in the real world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite this one experience, he feels generally positive about the changes brought about with the roundabout. He hopes that the council will take the feedback and improve it, implementing further measures like it across the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cI’ve had good acceptance from other travellers in cars, on foot, and on bike as well. So everybody that I’ve come across when I’ve been traveling using that roundabout has been prepared to expect that there’s something different.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n