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Britain's worst roundabout revealed as SIX drivers crash within hours of opening

A brand new roundabout has driven fuming motorists round the bend after SIX cars crashed just hours after it opened.

Three of the vehicles involved in crashes were left abandoned on Saturday after drivers were confused by “no lighting and no signage”, which led them to drive straight over the island.

A maroon Ford Focus, a blue Peugeot 106, a dark blue Ford Fiesta and a Land Rover all failed to realise the new roundabout had been set up on the A516 in Mickleover, Derby.

Drivers have now called for the council to put new rumble strips on the island, which opened on Friday.

David Wilson, 46, from South Normanton, Derby, crashed at the roundabout, and watched a Land Rover drive straight over the island while he waited to be rescued.

Six cars were involved in crashes on the day the roundabout opened (SWNS)
Six cars were involved in crashes on the day the roundabout opened (SWNS)

He said: “It was around 4am and I was taking my cousin to Manchester airport for her flight home to Canada.

“I am not familiar with the area but there was no lighting and no signage and I just drove straight into the roundabout and bumbled over it until we came to a stop.

“It is a bad one, as you simply don’t know it is there.

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“This man was from Manchester and said he did exactly the same thing as I did and even witnessed me crash.

“Then, while we were talking on the roadside, a Land Rover came and did the same too.

“Fortunately, for whoever was driving, it was a Land Rover and they were able to get over the island without too many difficulties, but other people are going to crash there until something is sorted.

Drivers have called for the council to put new rumble strips on the island (SWNS)
Drivers have called for the council to put new rumble strips on the island (SWNS)

“There needs to be rumble strips warning you it is there, the lighting needs to be better and so does the signage.”

Police were called to the scene after the three cars were seen abandoned there.

A spokesman for Derbyshire police said: “We have received a number of reports of cars being left abandoned on the roundabout at Hospital Lane in Mickleover.

“There appears to be damage done to the blue Peugeot 106 and one of the chevrons on the roundabout. “

The roundabout was built to allow hundreds of homes to be built nearby.

Top pic: SWNS