It has given Swindon international recognition over many years and, this month, one of the town’s most iconic landmarks will turn 50.
The Magic Roundabout has been part of the town’s history since September 1972 and it continues to baffle and entertain drivers to this day.
But the story of the famous junction, which consists of five mini-roundabouts arranged around a sixth central, anti-clockwise roundabout goes back further than 50 years. As early as the 1930s, a roundabout was found at the same location but even before that, in 1810, the site was home to a canal house.
Frank Blackmore, from the British Transport and Road Research Laboratory, created the roundabout and, working with Swindon Borough Council’s highways department, he designed the unusual mix of traffic islands known as a ‘ring junction’ in the early 1970s to replace old Drove Roundabout junction, which had seen a number of accidents and was considered to be dangerous.
According to reports, when it opened in 1972, police were stationed at each mini roundabout to ensure traffic safely navigated the unique design of the junction.
Over the course of the last 50 years it has attracted plenty of media interest. With the press even being linked to the very name of the junction.
According to Ray Harper, one of the traffic engineers at the time, journalists from the BBC or ITV were the ones who came up with the now famous name.
It’s been the focus of a South Korean news show, a twinning with Walt Disney World in Florida and even the centre of extreme sports when Red Bull drifted around the junction.
Back in 2016, when Red Bull came to town, drift driver Mike Whiddett said: “This is one of the craziest roundabouts I’ve ever discovered. This place is crazy, there are so many islands and obstacles.
“It’s a real challenge to come flying into this roundabout as fast as we can, drift around it and then head straight back out the other side.”
KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) visited the town a few years ago as part of a documentary focusing on issues affecting Korean transport policy including driving culture and traffic management.
After watching videos of the Magic Roundabout on the internet, the TV station sent a team of journalists to see how it worked in practice and even interviewed Leader of the Council, Councillor David Renard.
Sohee Park, of KBS, said: “We have a lot of accidents in Korea and drivers in our country are always in a hurry. We need a better driving culture and the TV station wanted to show some examples of how other countries manage traffic flows.
“In the UK, from what we have seen, drivers are more careful and considerate. When we saw the Magic Roundabout we just had to see it for ourselves. I have to say it really is quite magical and it seems to work really well.
“I think Korean drivers would find using the Magic Roundabout difficult at first, but you can see that it is a roundabout that people get used to in time, like Swindon drivers have.”
The roundabout has even gained the love and attention from the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society. Ahead of its 50th birthday, Kevin Beresford from the UKRAS said: “The society call this amazing roundabout the ‘white knuckle ride of all roundabouts’.
“It’s a maelstrom of motordom. I spent an afternoon cycling round it to prove it’s safe for cyclists! It was two hours, I was exhausted.
“I’ve lost count of the overseas film crews that I’ve taken round there. They’ve come from Korea, Japan, America and Australia.
“It’s an exciting roundabout, and it’s right next to the fire station. When they come roaring out it’s quite an exciting experience, all the traffic freezes.
“What an amazing piece of engineering. Frank was a genius when you think about it. It’s unique to Swindon”
Kevin even suggested the Magic Roundabout would feature in his upcoming roundabout calendar for 2023.
Darryl Moody, Swindon Borough Council’s Local Studies Librarian, said: “For 50 years the Magic Roundabout has occupied an important spot in Swindon’s landscape.
“We receive enquiries from all over the world asking us about the history of this unique landmark.
“However, it’s always interesting to recognise what came before and how this provides an insight into Swindon’s heritage.”
To help drivers celebrate the roundabout’s half century, the Council has put together a Spotify playlist of 50 songs for 50 years which includes The Magic Roundabout theme tune, Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol and You Spin Me Round by Dead or Alive. Fans of the roundabout can listen to it here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3rGrmEu0vmZ36rEJrSp0gi?si=64855a5323f54e81
On social media, the Council will also be sharing more on the history of the Magic Roundabout and asking residents to share their memories of the junction.
Council Leader, Councillor David Renard, said: “The Magic Roundabout is an amazing and unique part of Swindon’s history.
“It’s captured the imagination of many across the world from Asia to America – although no one else has created something similar!
“It even has its own line of merchandise which is available at the Central Library. What other junction can claim that?
“Whether you love it or loathe it, the Magic Roundabout is part of Swindon’s heritage and we hope to see it continue to help drivers navigate the town for the next 50 years.”
