Drivers on new Carlisle 'bypass' don't know how to use roundabouts - claim

Exclusive By Phil Coleman

Last updated at 09:19, Saturday, 03 March 2012

Motorists are getting themselves in a spin over how to handle the roundabouts on Carlisle’s new western 'bypass', it has emerged.

Have your say

@ADB - it is correct to stay in the left hand lane if you are travelling straight on - e.g. from Warwick Road to the A69.

Posted by barry on 3 March 2012 at 13:31

What patronising rubbish is being spouted here.
"A lot of drivers in this area will have learned to drive a long time ago, and may only use the McVitie's roundabout and Hardwicke Circus"
If that is how you talsk about the your potential customers you really wont earn their respect. As for the comment "it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident on the city's new relief road because many local motorists seem confused by the roundabouts" what do you mean local? This road carries traffic that was formerly travelling through the city, around it. That does not mean that those using the road are necessarily 'local'. What a waste of column inches.

Posted by Andrew on 3 March 2012 at 13:19

Posted by Rob on 3 March 2012 at 13:11

I think the problem is that the right hand lane has no breaks in the painted line and drivers dont want to use this lane as the painted line is not broken at each exit !!!!

Posted by Stella Paddock on 3 March 2012 at 13:08

AGB - at Rosehill, from the city to A69 east you can use BOTH lanes for going straight on!! Although not for M6 south, obviously!

Posted by Stellar on 3 March 2012 at 13:00

The lousy driving I witness daily at these roundabouts really is going to cause an accident sooner rather than later. I see the same thing every day with people staying left when turning right, as well as signalling right when going straight on! Come on people GET A GRIP they're simple, small, 2 lane roundabouts! I'd love to see some of the folk around here handle driving in a large city like Birmingham or London, they'd have no chance at all!

Posted by white van man on 3 March 2012 at 12:58

Sorry AGB i'm confused!!. are you saying.... if im going from Tescos on Warwick Road to go straight over the rosehill roundabout towards Newcastle i have to use the right hand lane when approaching the roundabout?? that completely blows the 12 o'clock rule out of the window and also doesn't marry up with the diagram in the Online Highway Code showing Rule 185. I do however think the signage and lane markings on the new road don't help. if i approach the New Moorhouse Rd roundabout from the kingmoor direction, i could enter in the lefthand lane and follow that lane right round until the workington exit (3rd Exit) at 1 o'clock without crossing a lane!! but according to the highway code, and the carlisle driving instuctors, this is wrong. perhaps if you removed the option of two lanes on the approach to the roundabout it might allow people to follow the 12 o'clock rule without getting cut up by people entering the roundabout at the same time..

Posted by Rob on 3 March 2012 at 12:54

Kev/Brian: There is a serious issue with drivers in the are not knowing which lane to use on the new road!! All too often they sail right round the roundabout in the left lane!!

The question is, should they be allowed to hold a licence if they are that clueless?!

Posted by Senator on 3 March 2012 at 12:54

AGB, I'm not sure if I have misunderstood you, but drivers should be in the left hand lane when heading for the A69 from Tesco-the drivers you mention are correct to do this.

Posted by Kate on 3 March 2012 at 12:40

AGB, really hate to break this to you. When travelling east on the A69, the correct lane to take in order to negotiate the Rosehill roundabout continuing on the A69 is in fact the left lane. Any competent driver should be aware of this. That is the reason why so many professional drivers do this!

Posted by A driver on 3 March 2012 at 12:40