Ewloe Dutch-style roundabout divides opinion – “There’s going to be some rear-end shunting”
A Dutch-style roundabout being built at St David’s in Ewloe is dividing opinion online as it nears completion.
The £900,000 scheme replaces the existing junction near Flintshire County Council’s offices with a layout that gives priority to pedestrians and cyclists.
Work began on 25 January and was scheduled to finish in May.
On a post by Chester Cycling Campaign welcoming the new design, dozens of drivers questioned the value of the work.
“Just fix the potholes,” one commenter said, in a remark that drew the most agreement from other readers.
Another said the money could have repaired road surfaces “for miles around”.
Several said the scheme had caused months of disruption to commuters between Hawarden and Ewloe.
Other comments raised safety concerns about the new layout.
“There’s going to be some rear-end shunting,” one commenter said, predicting motorists would be caught out by vehicles giving way to pedestrians and cyclists at the crossings.
Another driver said they were not convinced motorists would slow down enough to give way safely.
Other commenters welcomed the design and pointed to similar layouts on the Continent.
“If you drive on the Continent, in France, Spain or Germany, roundabouts like this are pretty standard,” one said.
“They work very well there. Drivers need to change their mindset.”
A cyclist who said they had ridden in the Netherlands said the layout was “a great idea” but acknowledged it would take getting used to in the UK.
Several comments revived the long-running argument that cyclists should not benefit from road space because they do not pay “road tax”.
Vehicle Excise Duty is a tax on vehicle ownership, not a charge for using the road, and it has not been ring-fenced for road funding since 1937.
The revenue goes into general taxation, which funds roads regardless of whether the taxpayer drives.
Some commenters confused St David’s roundabout with the larger Ewloe interchange next to it.
The Dutch-style layout is at the smaller St David’s roundabout.
Toucan crossings are being installed separately at the Ewloe interchange under a Welsh Government funded scheme.
Speaking when works began in January, Cllr Glyn Banks, Flintshire County Council’s cabinet member for waste and transportation, said: “This scheme represents an important investment in active travel and pedestrian safety at these busy roundabouts in Ewloe.
“We know the works will cause some short-term inconvenience, and we thank everyone for their patience while these long-term improvements are delivered.”
The scheme is part-funded by the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund.
Once complete, vehicles will have to give way to pedestrians and cyclists at parallel crossings on each arm of the roundabout.
The footway is being widened to a minimum of three metres.
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