Call for 'magic' to go back into famous roundabout

A refresh would put the "magic" back into Swindon's famous roundabout, two councillors have said.

The Magic Roundabout - five smaller mini roundabouts around a central island - recently won roundabout of the year, but the two councillors say it is looking tired.

Among the suggestions for the refresh are asking schools to create artwork for the central part of the "white-knuckle ride".

Councillor Kevin Parry, ahead of a debate on the idea, said: “There’s not very much magic about the Magic Roundabout at the moment despite it being a fantastic piece of traffic engineering."

Parry, alongside fellow Conservative councillor Barbara Parry, said their plan "would have a real impact on the town in a similar way to those we have seen in many cities across Europe".

Their motion added: "Schools and local businesses could be invited to join in to improve the look of the Magic Roundabout, with thought being given to designing fun characters that can be made and paid for by local businesses and installed in the centre of the magic roundabout."

If the motion is passed, which would need support from Labour councillors to get through, council officers would be asked to look at the possibilities and provide a report to cabinet at some point in the future with firmer proposals.

Kevin Parry added: "We’ve seen other towns embrace this sort of thing, reclaiming ‘no go’ areas and making them popular attractions."

He cited the Swindogs - 30 super-sized and uniquely decorated balloon dog sculptures, which formed an art trail through Swindon in 2023 - as an example, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“With the buy-in of children and also business, which really got behind the Swindogs, this could be something really good, which helps to put Swindon on the map, not just for our roundabout but for creativity."

The roundabout opened in 1972 but had recently been suffering from a similar fate to other roads in the town - with potholes and crumbling edges.

Additionally, the white markings have become worn.

The motion will be debated on Thursday.

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