Double Dutch! Chaotic European

With four zebra crossings, four pedestrian islands and eight sets of traffic lights for cyclists and pedestrians, it can test even the most confident of road users.

And a Dutch-style cycling road junction in Cambridge has become so confusing that councils have now released a YouTube video tutorial explaining how to use it.

The 'Cycling Optimised Protected Signals' (Cyclops) junction where Histon Road meets Gilbert Road and Warwick Road in the city has been in place for three years.

But as locals still struggle with it, the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) councils group has released the explainer ahead of a new similar junction being built nearby.

And the city's Conservative group has blasted the Cyclops format for 'causing chaos for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers alike' and potentially leading to 'extra confusion'.

They also pointed out an 'increase in collisions' at the junction, after data showed there had been six 'slight injury' collisions in the three years since it opened in 2021 - more than the 2016/19 period which saw one serious injury and four 'slight injuries'. 

The junction creates a circular route for cyclists around a crossroads for cars and is based on intersections in Holland intended to handle large numbers of cyclists.

Greater Manchester was the first UK region to implement Cyclops junctions, with the initial one opening in Hulme in July 2020, before a second in Bolton in January 2021.

Others have followed in Bury, Preston, St Helens, Trafford and Bradford - with more being built in Rochdale and Salford as well as proposals in Hull and Windsor. 

* Is a Cyclops junction opening near YOU? Please email: [email protected] * 

Conservatives in Cambridge have blasted the Cyclops format for 'causing chaos for cyclists'

The junction in Cambridge was opened in October 2021 as part of a £24million road upgrade project and aims to protect cyclists with a lane encircling the intersection, keeping cyclists separate from cars and pedestrians, reported the Daily Telegraph.

10 Cyclops junctions installed in England - and more on the way

OPENED

• Royce Road and Chorlton Road, Hulme - July 2020
• Newport Street and Trinity Street, Bolton - January 2021
• Histon Road, Cambridge - October 2021
• Angouleme Way and Market Street, Bury - April 2023
• Stretford Road and Chorlton Road, Hulme - May 2023
• Broadgate and Fishergate Hill, Preston - July 2023
• Marshalls Cross Road and Clock Face Road, St Helens - October 2023
• Bewsey Road, Warrington - November 2023
• Talbot Road and White City Way, Trafford - December 2023
• Vicar Lane, Bradford - May 2024

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

• Milton Road, Cambridge
• Talbot Road and Chester Road, Trafford
• Manchester Road and Nixon Street, Rochdale
• Broad Street and Frederick Road, Salford
• Trinity Way and Springfield Lane, Salford

PROPOSED

• Blundell's Corner, Hull
• Mill Lane and Parsonage Lane, Windsor

Advertisement

People cycling can make a signal-free left turn or use cycle buttons to access the phase of traffic signals to make a right turn or travel straight on without having to mix with any vehicles.

Although pedestrians cross at the same time as cyclists, they are taking through a separate ring of paths in the inner section of the junction, while zebra crossings on each side intend to provide safe routes to cross the cycle lane.

However, the GCP said there have been six 'slight injury' collisions on the junction since it opened.

Between 2016-19, in the last three-year pre-pandemic period before the Cyclops junction was put in place, there was one serious injury collision and four 'slight injury' collisions at the junction. 

This made a total of five collisions - fewer than the six in the most recent three-year period.

The GCP said that for further context, there had been one serious injury collision and five 'slight injury' collisions at a traditional T-junction further along Histon Road - at the Windsor Road junction - in the same 2021-2024 timeframe. 

The GCP's two-minute video, which has already had more than 3,000 views, describes how cyclists, motorists and pedestrians should use the junction.

Referring to cyclists, the narrator says: 'The traffic signals have been set up to provide enough time for cyclists to make a full right turn manoeuvre around the junction in one continuous movement.'

But she adds: 'Cyclists must stop when the cycle-specific signals are red so that they do not conflict with traffic.

'Alternatively, cyclists can choose to stay on the road and follow the route directly ahead - or you can make a left or right turn across the junction, following the road markings.'

The clip has also been released in preparation for Cambridge's second Cyclops junction at Milton Road on the edge of the city.

The GCP has now nearly finished three of the four sections of this new junction, with work set to be completed later this summer.

But the Cambridge City Conservatives have raised concerns about the project, with group chairman Zachary Marsh telling MailOnline: 'This is the latest in a long line of bizarre roadworks foisted on residents by the GCP, causing chaos and confusion for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike. 

An aerial view of the Cycling Optimised Protected Signals' (Cyclops) junction in Cambridge

People cycling can make a signal-free left turn or use cycle buttons to access traffic signals

The junction in Cambridge is where Histon Road meets Gilbert Road and Warwick Road

'Other unfamiliar road layouts, like the Dutch-style roundabout in Queen Edith's Way, have been linked to more dangerous accidents for all road users. 

Read More

EXCLUSIVE How many more deaths must occur until speeding cyclists are stopped? Widower whose wife was mowed down by 'anti social' teen calls for harsher sentences for reckless riders after spate of accidents behind the wheel

'Residents' safety is more important than an experimental vanity project and we are very concerned about the real risks this scheme poses.' 

Mr Marsh also told the Telegraph: 'We are very concerned this Cyclops junction could lead to extra confusion. Their Dutch-style roundabout has already led to an increase in collisions.'

However, Anna Williams, head of campaigns and engagement at Cambridge cycling campaign group Camcycle, told MailOnline: 'Research continually shows that safety fears are the biggest barrier stopping more people from cycling.

'Protected junctions like this, which are being installed across the country, enable people of all ages and abilities to feel safe and confident choosing cycling for more of their everyday journeys.

'Both of Cambridge's Cyclops junctions are on routes to primary schools and feedback from the Histon Road one shows that families are benefitting from the improvement as the previous junction was particularly intimidating to use.

The Cyclops junction creates a circular route for cyclists around a crossroads for cars

The 'Cycling Optimised Protected Signals' (Cyclops) junction has been in place for three years

The junction in Cambridge has eight sets of traffic lights for cyclists and pedestrians

'Although this junction layout is less familiar, all aspects of its construction from zebra crossings to traffic signals are well-established in the Highway Code so the new video just seeks to give reassurance to all road users on what happens where.'

Read More

Royal Parks backs calls to remove Regent's Park from cycling apps after reckless rider killed elderly woman in 29mph crash

She added that Camcycle was 'looking forward' to the opening of the Milton Road junction later this year 'as part of a safe new cycling corridor from the edge of Cambridge right into the city's heart'.

And a GCP spokesman told MailOnline: 'The Cyclops junction on Histon Road has been warmly welcomed by cyclists, drivers and residents since it was opened in 2021. 

'People like the junction because it functions as a normal crossroads for vehicles and it provides additional segregation for pedestrians and cyclists from motorised traffic to improve road safety for everyone.

'It is a key part of our award winning Histon Road project which commuters have told us how much they enjoy travelling on.

'The aim of the film, like others created around the country, is to introduce this innovative new design to people who have not yet had the opportunity to use the existing Cyclops junction ahead of the opening of a new junction on Milton Road later this year. 

The Cyclops junction in Cambridge is intended to benefit cyclists and pedestrians

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) councils group has released the video explainer

'This will only help to build confidence and encourage more people to walk, wheel and cycle around our rapidly growing city region.'

Read More

Are you a parent and child parking space imposter? Shocking number of drivers abuse rules

A raft of Cyclops junctions were built in the North West of England last year, including at Angouleme Way and Market Street, Bury; Stretford Road and Chorlton Road in Hulme; and Broadgate and Fishergate Hill in Preston.

Others completed in 2023 included at Marshalls Cross Road and Clock Face Road in St Helens; Bewsey Road in Warrington; and Talbot Road and White City Way in Trafford.

There has been a further Cyclops junction opened at Vicar Lane in Bradford in recent weeks; while there are also construction projects underway at Talbot Road and Chester Road in Trafford; and Manchester Road and Nixon Street in Rochdale.

Further Cyclops junctions are being built in Salford at both Broad Street and Frederick Road, and Trinity Way and Springfield Lane.

And there are proposals for the intersections to be built at Blundell's Corner in Hull; and Mill Lane and Parsonage Lane in Windsor.

* Is a Cyclops junction opening near YOU? Please email: [email protected] *