New roundabout branded 'white elephant'

People living near a newly upgraded roundabout costing almost £7m have labelled it a "white elephant" and pushed the point home with a soft toy.

Work on the roundabout in Clophill, Bedfordshire, which began in March last year, has just been completed.

Central Bedfordshire Council said the improvement works were government-funded and would increase traffic capacity and reduce journey times, as well as tackling flooding.

But local residents are not convinced and have put a small, stuffed white elephant toy in the middle of the roundabout.

The council said the improvements included two lanes on all four approaches and exits to the roundabout, aiming to "allow more vehicles to get through the junction at the same time".

A two-lane section on the southern A6 approach (the A-road between Bedford and Luton) has allowed for the retention of the all-important bridge over the River Flit.

The local authority said new drainage and gullies would help "reduce flooding in the area" and that the works included landscaping and a new bus shelter.

Martin Godin, 67, from Silsoe, said he was "disappointed" it took the council a long time to do the works.

He said there were still tailbacks at rush hours, so the improvement for the traffic has been "minimal".

"They have solved a problem that didn’t need fixing," he added.

Catherine Flattery, 52, from Clophill, said the upgraded roundabout was supposed to improve traffic flow, but it had not worked.

"All they have done is put in pedestrian crossings, which is great for safety, but all it is doing is slowing traffic down," she said.

She said the stuffed white elephant in the middle of the roundabout was "quite funny and makes the point".

John Farrow, 64, from Silsoe, said the project was a "waste of money" that had not improved traffic flow "as you are just queuing up".

Central Bedfordshire said the works were "fully funded" by the government's Levelling Up fund and were delivered "on time".

Hayley Whitaker, deputy leader of the Independent-led council, said: "This project has improved the road layout and should help to ease traffic congestion, increase road safety, and shorten travel times for motorists.

"The new, safer pathways and crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists mean local schools are now more accessible, which is great news, and supports local businesses too as people can get around more easily.

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