<P> "Magic roundabouts" direct traffic in both directions around the central island . They are officially known as "ring junctions". The first magic roundabout was constructed in 1972 in Swindon, designed by Frank Blackmore, inventor of the mini-roundabout . The roundabout joins five roads and consists of a two - way road around the central island, with five mini-roundabouts meeting the incoming roads . </P> <P> The name derives from the popular children's television series, The Magic Roundabout, and is considered "magic" because traffic flows in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions . This is achieved by surrounding the main island with one smaller roundabout per entry / exit street . This pattern directs traffic in the usual clockwise manner around each mini-roundabout . Exiting the mini-roundabouts, traffic may proceed around the central island either clockwise (via the outer loop), or anticlockwise (the inner loop). The arrangement offers multiple paths between feeder roads . Drivers typically choose the shorter, most fluid route . Although the safety record is good, many drivers find this system intimidating, and some drivers go to great lengths to avoid them . </P> <P> Similar systems are found in the Moor End roundabout in Hemel Hempstead (Hertfordshire), which has six intersections; in High Wycombe (Buckinghamshire), the Denham Roundabout in Denham (Buckinghamshire), the Greenstead Roundabout in Colchester (Essex), "The Egg" in Tamworth (Staffordshire) and the Hatton Cross Roundabout in London . </P> <P> Churchbridge Junction in Staffordshire is a magic gyratory . This type of junction is similar to a magic roundabout, except that the constituent roundabouts are connected by longer lengths of roadway . </P>

Who has the right of way at a round about