Crossings at roundabout junctions

If pedestrian safety and comfort is important where people cross a side-road at its junction with a main road, the same surely applies where people cross a road at its junction with an entrance and exit of a roundabout.

At many of these places there are uncontrolled, informal, courtesy, crossings with dropped kerbs and tactile paving to help people with disabilities to cross. If a zebra crossing is to be provided, official guidance suggests that for road safety reasons, it should be well away from the junction. Yet people continue to cross near the junction because that is usually the most direct and convenient route to take.

There are many practical and historic reasons for the present situation. Each has or at least had some validity and now needs more examination.