Hit-And-Run Motorist Forces Temporary Closure Of Cambridge’s Dutch-Style Roundabout

A hit-and-run motorist has crashed into a Belisha beacon on the newly opened Fendon Road roundabout in Cambridge. Billed as the U.K’s first Dutch-style roundabout, the traffic circle prioritizes cyclists and pedestrians.

The £2.3m roundabout opened on July 31 but has yet to be fully finished. It will now be closed until at least Wednesday to allow contractors to assess the extent of the damage, and carry out repairs.

Increased signage may also be required to warn motorists they do not have priority at this innovative-for-the-U.K. intersection.

Cyclists have to cede priority to pedestrians at zebra crossings and motorists have to cede priority to both, an alien concept to many U.K. motorists and which may have contributed to the crash.

A county council spokesperson said the crash happened before the roundabout officially opened, and the motorist, whose car was damaged by the incident, failed to stop at the scene.

The motorist has yet to report the incident.

On today’s breakfast show with Nick Ferrari on LBC radio the presenter cited the closure of the roundabout as an example of how the national and local governments are spending too much money on cyclists.