Magic Roundabout (Hemel Hempstead) - Early History

Early History

The original magic roundabout had six exits in total, with the British Petroleum building spanning "Marlowes", the road leading to the town centre, in the approximate position of the earlier railway Viaduct. The BP building was found to be unstable due to defective reinforced concrete and the exit had to be closed. This building was later demolished and the original route not restored, although a newer side exit from the roundabout replaced the junction with Marlowes off a side road.

Prior to this design, a number of schemes were tried, including widening some of the entrances to and exits from the roundabout: ultimately a spiral roundabout was trialled. The idea behind this scheme was that drivers were supposed to enter the clockwise only roundabout, go to the center and then, about two exits before their chosen exits get into a lane that would spiral them off. The spiral idea failed, as many drivers ignored the lane markings, while those who followed the spiral tended to accelerate as they went round.

The present scheme opened in June 1973 and caused tailbacks allegedly to Berkhamsted, and up St Alban's Road, almost as far as the M1 in the other direction. A police officer had to be stationed at each of the mini roundabouts to prevent chaos.

When the new junction was first opened, a camera was placed overlooking the roundabout on the roof of the adjacent Kodak HQ building. It was noted many drivers would get 'lost' and make repeated reversals of direction between joining the roundabout and eventually leaving it.

Shortly after the opening the driver of an articulated lorry ended up in the River Gade in the centre of the roundabout after brakes failed while travelling down St Albans Road.