'It gives me nightmares' vs 'It's not a problem': Readers' feelings about Inshes Roundabout

We asked for your opinions after dozens of people liked a suggestion on social media that Inshes Roundabout is one of the 'worst' in Britain for less confident motorists.

Some commentators on our Facebook page said the Inverness junction is not a problem while others were a little bit more concerned.

It comes after it was put forward when Twitter feed VeryBritishProblems, which has 3.9 million followers, asked its audience: "Where would be the worst place to go in Britain if you were terrified of roundabouts?"

• Does Inshes Roundabout deserve to be flagged as one of the 'worst' in Britain?

Some of those who seem to agree include Brenda J Kellie, who said: "Gives my nightmares and I’ve been driving for over 30 years."

Alison MacKay commented: "Space, go, pray you have the correct lane if not, just pretend you are drifting checking all mirrors as you do to achieve correct exit."

While Michelle Drake said: "Had to drive round this so many times, and the amount of near misses, because folk don’t which lane to be in and as for indicating? Don’t think anyone up there knows what they are!"

Phyllis Hannah said: "It was one of the roundabouts that gave my nephew nightmares when he was learning to drive. Its proximity to the college and hospital certainly make it one of the busiest in the city but the only thing that makes it so bad is the many people who don't know how to drive on a spiral roundabout properly."

Others appeared to have few issues with it, including Aileen Morrison, who said: "I have no issues with it to be honest. But, I did my driving test in Inverness and it’s one of the things you get tested on so I had to know how to use it."

Esther Dowey said: "It's not a problem to me however it can be intimidating if one hasn't got much experience in inner cities and busy roundabouts. Not sure how you can improve it."

Moira Souter commented: "If you use it often, it becomes easier. I used to hate it till I used it daily for work."

Some others appeared to praise it, including Drew Hardiman, who said: "This is probably one of the best laid out roundabouts in the country, not the worst."

Rachael Lillian Mackenzie said: "It’s well-marked, lanes are clear and there is plenty warning before you get to it. I don’t see any issue. Plenty roundabouts with worn out lane markings no obvious signage and little warning to get in lane – those are the problem ones."

And Claire Louise Hill said: "One of the easiest, well-marked roundabouts to use in Inverness if you know how to drive and how to use it. It’s other drivers that don’t have a clue, that give the roundabout a bad name."

We also asked for suggestions to improve it, with ideas coming from a few commentators including Kim Corbett, who said: "As a pedestrian, I would like to see a subway below the roundabout. It would be safer for pedestrians and could help keep traffic flowing."

Alisdair Barnett said: "The main problem is the proximity of the pedestrian crossing which inevitably creates a problem with vehicles backed up round the roundabout. A possible solution would be to move the pedestrian crossing further away from the roundabout perhaps midway to the next roundabout. I understand pedestrians would have an extra walk of under a minute but it would help alleviate some of the traffic flow issues."

And some seemed to suggest the roundabout itself was fine, including Keith Alexander, who said: "It's not really the roundabout that's the problem, it's drivers that don't indicate or indicate incorrectly!"

While Ing-Marie Logie commented: "There is nothing wrong with the roundabout. It would be fine if it wasn't for all the cars!"

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