Is this Britain's most confusing roundabout? Warnings to improve 'monster' Essex junction with record 48 traffic lights after slew of near-misses caused by confused drivers ending up in the wrong lanes

There are growing calls for urgent road safety improvements on Britain's 'most confusing roundabout' after a record 48 traffic lights were installed in an apparent bid to control rising traffic.

Drivers unfamiliar with North Station roundabout in Colchester, Essex have found themselves heading into oncoming traffic in a hair-raising slew of near-misses and accidents.

As more lights have been added to control the rising traffic at the junction in Colchester, it has overtaken the record of 42 sets at Grovehill Junction in Beverley, East Yorkshire.

Councillor Martin Goss, who has been campaigning for improved safety for years, warned that the problem seemed to affect 'older motorists' in particular. 

He added: 'There are dash-cam videos on the internet of vehicles going in completely the wrong direction. Several drivers have dropped serious clangers. We need a safety audit.'

He added: 'The junction and roundabout has been in existence since about 2000 so it has been in the city for nearly 25 years.

'I guess it must be confusing for some people because they are going the wrong way and heading into traffic.'

Hair-raising footage shared online shows motorists driving on the wrong side of the roundabout.

Local Mary Adams said: 'This is a monster of a roundabout — easily confusing as you have to swap lanes to go anywhere. Out-of-towners don't stand a chance.'

In June, driver Dills_Dashcam on TikTok shared a clip showing another motorist take a wrong turn at the roundabout - attracting over 20,000 views.

The dashcam footage showed a car several lengths ahead, which took a left turn on North Station roundabout - despite road markings stating 'ahead only'.

The driver, who has nearly 4,000 followers on his account, said: 'I was shocked something so well signed posted was completely ignored.

'They just carried on with other drivers beeping at them. Thankfully, no-one was hurt by their stupid actions.

'I’ve seen this happen only a handful of times over ten years. For me, if you are going somewhere, you have never been before just taking that little extra care as you don’t know the roads.'

In July, driving instructor Kieran Clarke, 36, was stunned to see a motorist incorrectly heading in the opposite direction on the roundabout.

Mr Clarke, who has taught drivers for 32 years, told the Colchester Gazette: 'I’m sure there will be an accident at some point as this does seem to be happening regularly.

'Thankfully I was in the other lane to the driver who was going the wrong way.'

Last month, fellow motorist James Clarke also caught sight of a driver going in the wrong direction on the roundabout.

 His dashcam footage captured the driver of a Mercedes Benz travelling around roundabout in the opposite direction.

He said the motorist was indicating as if their plan was to go all the way around the roundabout.

Mr Clarke, who had only been driving for six months, said: 'It was a shock. I find that roundabout very confusing at points, but not to the point where I’ve gone round it the wrong way.'

In a previous statement, an Essex County Council Highways spokesman said: 'Any resident concerned about road signs, road markings or speed limits on any Essex Highways road can inform their local county councillor, who can raise the issue at the next Local Highway Panel (LHP).

'Alternatively, if you spot any missing or damaged signage on the roundabout, this can be reported to us via our online reporting tool, which can be found at essexhighways.org/tell-us.'

Essex County Council has been contacted for comment. 

• Do YOU use the roundabout? Email stewart.carr@mailonline.co.uk