The UNFINISHED London Ringways DUAL CARRIAGEWAY - A10 Hoddesdon

#hertfordshire #driving #infrastructure
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Great to be looking at a junction, it's been a while... in this video, we're look at some grass... however, it was nearly a massive piece of infrastructure that was part of the infamous London Ringways project. But then it got cancelled. What's curious though is that the "London" ringways project takes us to Hertfordshire and several miles from London...

[@frankupton5821]

The net result is that our transport system has all the coherence and elegant logic of a teenager's bedroom.

[@MrGadgetgav]

"Obviously thought by people who don't drive" 😄 Spot on!

[@greebowarrior]

As someone local to the area, I can indeed confirm that no-one cares about Hoddesdon

[@drmal]

I spent the first 25 years of my life there. It's an utter s*&!hole !

[@NoelSlevin]

As someone who grew up here and moved away, I can second this.

[@Shads5]

As someone who lived in Hoddesdon for 4 years before moving to Northumberland I can also confirm this

[@picklesdad]

As someone who has never been there I can also confirm this.

[@nickanderson141186]

As someone who grew up there and still lives there I can confirm this!

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

A nice dose of Caribbean flavour with 'Mr Policeman' by Jab Jab over a cloudy Hertfordshire roundabout on this dismal British summer Wednesday afternoon! Thanks, Jon!

[@AnonNomad]

I'm a local, and the amount of bumps and fender benders that dumbell roundabout has caused is hilarious. Almost as funny as the opposite end of the Dinant Link Road where they redesigned the roundabout leading onto Essex Road (industrial area) to ease traffic at peak times, only to slap traffic lights maybe 5 seconds after the exit which leads to even worse traffic at peak times.

[@londonalicante]

It looks a really stupid solution. Traffic wanting to cross the link road from south to north could have used the A10 roundabout anyway, so all they needed was something for traffic wanting to cross from north to south. A one way road for southbound traffic with a simple crossroads would have been better, perhaps with traffic lights to stop the traffic on the link road. Oh wait - the dumbell roundabout has traffic lights as well! Duh! There's also an existing underpass 200m to the east that isn't connected up with anything.

[@Marks-Garage]

Just down the road from me and I can confirm those two roundabouts built in 2019 are ridiculous. Great video as always!

[@dodgydruid]

You should ask BBC archives for a copy of Richard Stilgoes "Bridge over troubled mortars" which focused on the many years abandoned A2 flyover now used by the M25 although much had to be demolished but the famous A2 bridge to nowhere was always a fun sight imagining what would it carry.

[@EagleStudios]

What I love about these videos is the time; it's a 5 minute video about this topic, ALOT of other channels turn a simple video like this into 20-30 minutes for no reason at all except to fill time.

[@andrewjworden288]

I F****** love these videos and the dry sarcastic humour..

[@tinman7551]

I really like this video. I wish there was a button specifically for that. 😊

[@philtucker1224]

I’m with you there Tinny, they should have a “superlike” button that was equivalent to say, ten likes for the algorithm score…

[@ajw9533]

I press like before I even watch the video.

[@CheeseAlarm]

I love the ringways, I find them fascinating. I especially love that they never built (most of) them.

[@HighWealder]

Those wooded islands look like great wild camping spots

[@richardharrold9736]

By wild camping, I presume you mean dogging? 😂

[@philtucker1224]

Some of these road junctions that John discoverers would make a great holiday coach tour for us to go and laugh our socks off at! Ha ha ! Happy days 😂🤣😂🤣

[@Goldie644]

I have long had a theory that anyone applying for a job as a road planner is immediately rejected if they have a driving licence - your videos keep supplying more proof for this 😉

[@photosbycharles9880]

I live in Hertford and can not wait for the day that Bipass on the A414 is built.

[@gremlicious]

nah course they won't, staring longingly into someone's brake lights down gasgoyne way is a time honoured tradition. they'll spend the money consulting over what size of 20mph sign to slap on the all the roads through hertford instead

[@photosbycharles9880]

@@gremlicious Already done, Sele Farm has been 20 for over 10 years now, I hate going from Sele Farm to Ware at 5pm.

[@julianpenfold1638]

@@photosbycharles9880 Bengeo also 20 now apart from the main road, though it's mainly ignored. 20 makes sense in certain parts of the rat run and other narrow streets but down New Road it and the humps we got at the same time causes more problems than it solves.

[@djsmithe]

I could tell you're in a festive mood because of the grey bunny hugger you were wearing. In the UK, I believe they're called jumpers or hoodies. The music at the end of your video confirmed your mood. Pass the Kuctchie.

[@FlyingScud]

3:17 For 'unspoilt countryside' read 'opportunity to build more houses'.

[@marjon1703]

I had mused on the silly square-about near Hoddeston, now I know. Really enjoy all the 'blast from the past' outro music too.

[@nicks4934]

Ah the days when roads were the only answer. Didn’t the transport minister have shares in a road company? Then ran away with a shit load of money?

[@vickielawless]

That would be Ernest Marples, a transvestite tax dodger who ran Marples Ridgeway. A firm that, oddly, got the contract to build the M1..

[@barrieshepherd7694]

​@@vickielawlessI think that, to avoid accusations, he had divested himself of the road construction business when in Office. To his wife it is said - so that's alright then 😂

[@RossAlt1990]

So keen for the Hertford bypass. Its often faster to go through Hertford town than to follow the current 414.

[@bobstacey9311]

I am excited that you have made several videos about shitefordshire were I grew up and first drove around on my 50cc FS1E moped, Suzuki GT250 and once I had a car licence my Daytona yellow Cortina 2000E, sadly that rust box made way for my shiny Fiesta XR2 company car, the happy memories of flat out on the “Odsenden bypass” once pass the link road no lights at night or cameras to the Hertford turn off, great memories!

[@pa1954]

Bet youre in your in youre 60s mate

[@bobstacey9311]

​@@pa1954yep 66 and 5/12ths

[@CodeDeb]

The first time the words “interesting” and “Hoddeston” have been used in the same video 😂

[@adamjolley8552]

I like this video so I pressed the button specifically for that 👉🏻

[@Jehty_]

I did not know that planning ahead was even possible in road construction. But I guess luckily fate intervened and restored proper cosmic balance.

[@truckerjoe5258]

Just catching up John on your latest video. Now we needs to be greatly discussed is that stupid dumbbell roundabout. Now as a truck driver who delivers to the local Ind Est, that roundabout is downright dangerous. I try and keep to my lane but as I'm 45ft long the trailer naturally wants most of the island. The problem then arises when a car mostly a jazz or similar is in the area where 3 axles of my trailer also ends up. There you see becomes a problem. Anywho keep up the cracking videos and content, very enjoyable 👍

[@renrutmat]

Hertford by-pass has been needed for the last 40 years at least.

[@colinshearring3934]

I expect a Gascoyne Way special anytime soon 😂😂

[@mrc7478]

@@renrutmat I actively avoid Hertford for this and other reasons

[@marjon1703]

refereed to as the Hearts-by-pass...

[@mrc7478]

@@marjon1703 I like that

[@leeghathaway]

My wife just commended you on your musical choices. The ending steel drum piece being a new favourite. Would be great to see an Auto Shenanigan Spotify playlist. 🎉

[@willtricks9432]

The dumb bell addition leaves us with another 'cthulu' image as seen from above. Nice.

[@philtucker1224]

They ought to name it “the Bell interchange” so locally they could call it the “really dumb Bell interchange “ 😁

[@getawayhs2856]

Someone's been splashing out on a compete new wardrobe 😛

[@CycolacFan]

Simple solution for the dumbbell roundabout is to make it a low traffic zone and put wooden planters at both ends. Play them at their own game…

[@tobyjackman3212]

This is the best video I've ever seen about anything

[@flo0t]

I've never been this early for anything in my life!!

[@Perthshire]

There should be a cash prize for being first

[@maxthedoomer]

@flo0t That's not what your missus said last night.

[@SpahGaming]

@@maxthedoomer 💀

[@stevekelly5166]

@@maxthedoomer Ooof, you said what we were thinking.

[@scottwalker2619]

Used to go around it regularly on my way to deliver to Sainsbury's distribution depot

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Hi Jon, it is an oversized roundabout that looks promising to connect a new dual carriageway to. great video on a place I never heard off but never the less a great video catch you soon, take care

[@rochellehewston9367]

Really informative video John, thanks again

[@dmytrorubanov3340]

The title of the video triggered a soundtrack from the Jay Foreman’s series in my head 🏗️

[@jagman84]

Rather than spiralling costs, it's more a case of underquoting the project, in order to secure the contract. Then, once the build is up to a point where it would be highly embarrassing for the political incumbents to cancel, they claim that it needs further funds to allow completion. It appears to work almost every time (HS2 being no exception) and you'd think that TPTB would have caught on by now! Unless they are in on the scam?

[@therealunclevanya]

10% for the big guy

[@barrieshepherd7694]

HS2 was started at the wrong end. The Northern sections, which were lower cost construction, should have been started first. But they started in the south and, in order to appease the County sects, had to bury, at considerable extra cost, the railway in unnecessary tunnels and deep cuttings thus increasing cost and eating up the budget.

[@Ginger_Dalek]

Have you thought about doing a video on the roundabout-to-nowhere situated on the A6 just north of Buxton in Derbyshire?

[@mrc7478]

I quite like the shape of that massive roundabout.

[@paulsengupta971]

Squareabout?

[@mrc7478]

@@paulsengupta971 yeah if you like, Paul. Squareabout.

[@philtucker1224]

John I hope you will do one on the A249/M2 interchange soon as the improvements have cost more than 39 million over three years and all of the junctions have stayed the same! 😂🤣

[@zah465]

Should do a Remnents of the Ringways series. Theres loads of little oddities around London because of this.

[@TheThejpmshow]

The M25 in fact wasnt even designed as a orbital motorway, it was several different projects all ‘hastily stitched together’

[@SedraKotova-wb9ib]

Interesting perspective, got me thinking!

[@PrograError]

sex bot spam

[@nigelscott4325]

Really interesting, never thought about that layout when I used to use it to get to Rye House speedway (RIP 😞)

[@redboyjan]

Classic conclusion at the end. Bravo

[@JamesHughes1]

Would love to see a full series on what was built of the ringways

[@cullercoatswebsite]

All road planners should watch these videos.. before they qualify...

[@philtucker1224]

Yes but that would probably stop them all from qualifying as one of the graduating criteria is clearly “only idiots need apply” 😂🤣😂🤣

[@ManxAndy]

As ever Jon…..excellent vlog….👍👌🇮🇲

[@markarnold8160]

I have went to there. The big white buildings in the distance at the video end is the former Merck Sharp and Dohme pharmaceutical site that is now split up. My immediate thoughts on visiting the town made me uneasy, which is weird when you consider that I was working in the next town, Ware.

[@hairyairey]

I don't agree that's a bad junction. First it looks quite elegant and don't underestimate the value of over-engineering anything. Traffic seems to flow really well around it. In fact it's an ideal space to build a services for the vehicle traffic

[@franticstorm7411]

The same should be said of the A47 and A17 junction at Kings Lynn in Norfolk. The earth workings needed are already in place to allow the road to go over Pullover roundabout. A few years ago this was actually done at the Hardwick roundabout. the difference it made was excellent. Norfolk county council and Highways again.

[@MorrisPV]

The A17 dual carriageway over that missing flyover was planned to continue with free flowing sliproads all the way to Newark, but sadly, only the Kings Lynn and Sleaford bypasses were ever built to the original plans... 🙄

[@ifaiful]

John, there’s an abandoned road for you. Off the A51 in Dosthill. I think in Warwickshire. There’s no name on it on google maps, but just passed it. It runs between brand energy telephone services and ascot drive.

[@MisterTea74]

Funny, I’ve used that junction tens or hundreds of times in the last few years before during and after the dumbell addition, I’d never given tne squareabout a second thought.

[@Ramtamtama]

They could've done a lot worse than the dumbbell, but also a lot better. I'd recommend people read up on the Ringways plans.

[@Croz89]

It would be fine if they hadn't ruined it with traffic lights.

[@cb01ttr]

Beautiful outro music. Thank you.

[@ozbolli]

I have driven this many-a-time. It’s just an introduction to drivers as to what to expect when you head into Hoddesdon, a complete mess. The traffic in and around Hertford has been a nightmare for the whole 22 years I’ve lived in the south

[@jezp1976]

Yes, as a user of that road, the dumb bell roundabouts are best described as dumb.

[@jlearmont]

Your videos are so funny 🤣 keep up with the good work

[@Anonymoususer_2023]

Very strange roundabout at Hoddesdon I have to say. It’s almost like square rather than being round compare to other big roundabouts that are round.

[@fatcontrole1]

That dumbbell roundabout lives up to it's name. Why not one big roundabout??

[@DanielMeakin1]

Fantastic video John!

[@Aurora-nv3br]

That dumbbell roundabout looks awful

[@gremlicious]

looks awful and it's shite to navigate with lorries going off the a10 to the hoddesdon industrial park straddling both lanes if they're long enough. caused so much shit while it was being built too

[@drmal]

​@@gremlicious I couldn't believe what I was seeing when that appeared on screen. I moved away in 1995 and haven't been back since. I assume the dumb idea of building that dumbell roundabout was because they've built at the top of Lord Street and didn't want to put more strain on the narrow road? As a bit of a boy racer in the 90s, it was great to floor it up/down the link road.

[@gremlicious]

@@drmalsuspect it was put in as otherwise you’d not only clog up lord street but put a load more traffic going past a primary school on an already clogged road

[@drmal]

@@gremlicious Just been looking on Google maps. I see they're building round the back of Westfield school. I grew-up off Hertford Road and used to walk every day to Sheredes. You're right, those local roads wouldn't cope with a huge amount of extra traffic.

[@SimonAyling]

I think the plan is for more housing mouth and south of the dumbell - traffic from the north estate wanting to head south on the A10 would need to go into Hoddesdon to turn round at The Sun roundabout and come all the way back up Dinant Link to do so, if the dumbell wasn't there. Or, at least a proper, working junction of some sort

[@IIISentorIII]

Aus der bekannten Serie "Wieso liegt hier Stroh?"

[@MH_ZeR0]

I used to live in Enfield and had friends in Hoddesdon. Always wondered why that junction was stupidly large and now I know so thanks for that! Atleast the stupid dumbbell roundabout is calming down the twats with suped up cars who use that stretch to race in the middle of the night right?

[@Eurobazz]

Well I never knew this. Thanks.

[@blisteringbarnaclesmagnets6364]

Brilliant John⚓️🧲👍

[@UK.RoadsCyclingandTransport]

Amazing stuff Jon

[@TheFunkadelicFan]

Anyone ever tried driving out of London on the A10 on a Friday afternoon? I did once. It gave me PTSD.

[@Eurobazz]

Yep. Enfield grinds to a halt from 15:00 hrs. onwards for traffic heading north.

[@SouthPaw1805]

At least it's slightly less worse than trying to drive out of London on the A1/A1(M) or M1 on a Friday afternoon.

[@110acer]

I was the cabbie! Love your vids!

[@DavidJBradshaw]

The old ring way route looks far more sensible than the proposed bypass route and would leave more green belt for our new government to build housing on.

[@minibus9]

awesome video, really interesting

[@JoFreddieRevDr]

When do we get a video on the A13, Trunk Road To The Sea? If you ever have to go to Shoeburyness Take the A road, the okay road that's the best

[@notrut]

Flippin' heck, I had forgotten about going to Hoddesdon Rye House Kart Track 1977 ... where do the years go off to?

[@philtucker1224]

They converted that into the dumbbell junction…

[@Cars_and_adventures]

East bound section is definitely needed 😂

[@gremlicious]

well bugger me, didn't expect to see my doorstep here

[@ultravern]

If I'd known you were coming to Hoddesdon I'd have suggested a detour to Cock Lane.

[@Ice_Karma]

[Edited:] According to the _BBC Pronouncing Dictionary of British Names,_ the E in "Hoddesdon" is silent... but according to locals, that's wrong; it has three syllables, "Hodd-es-don". 😻

[@drmal]

I lived there for my first 25 years before escaping. The E isn't silent. The pronunciation is more like "Hodd is don"

[@Ice_Karma]

@@drmal Thank you for this! I guess even the Beeb aren't infallible. 😸

[@Ice_Karma]

@@drmal I've edited my original comment. Thank you again! 😻

[@foxual13]

Love you mate

[@charliechristmas5147]

That gap was the old Watford Gap…😂lol

[@PhilipMurphyExtra]

Feeling good now watching about roundabouts after England going through to the final of Euro 2024

[@saintuk70]

Bit like watching Hoof Trimming (so glad I didn't for get the "t"), despite working along side a roads service for most of my working life and not being really that fused by them, this is interesting.

[@chriscohlmeyer4735]

I knew that I would like this video even as it started so I pressed the button specifically for that 👉

[@goddam9925]

Splatted that there thumbs up on this one !!🤫

[@twocvbloke]

Despite all the traffic using it, the thing looks abaondoned, probably hasn't seen any maintenance for a long time in the hopes it'll collapse and go away I guess... :P

[@TheGamePlayer13]

Do a video on the a30- London to Lands End

[@wilsonflood4393]

Do you mind, I have lived in Hoddesdon (Marston Road) and I care.

[@IAmUndersteer]

Putting the “dumb” in “dumbbell roundabout”

[@anonymousinternetuser7519]

Your inside hat is as silly as the dumbbell roundabout. #stronghatopinions

[@01jvb]

Having worked in the technical department of a large house building company, I can say that the house builders don't have any say in the design of the roads leading to their developments. It is all dictated by the highways departments of the relevant county councils. The housebuilder has to pay for the bonkers ideas though.

[@philtucker1224]

I’m pleased you’re not one of those finger pointing types 01j ha ha!

[@philtucker1224]

I’m pleased you’re not one of those finger pointing types 01j ha ha!

[@phillwainewright4221]

Hello!

[@Original50]

I can see a green crayon hiding there. They taste the best. 🤤

[@AsianDrag0n]

It seems a majority of the UK freeways/highways whateveruguyscallit are roads that are the results of the government not being able to make up their mind on plans & making their final decision too late into the process.

[@camwinstone]

The Hertford bypass will never get built. That “proposal” was 1994.

[@Sarge084]

You could do an entire series of "shit junctions"!!!!

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

do you deliberately script your videos to say certain phrases as many times as possible ("link road", "interchange") for hypnotic effect? if so, well done, it's very effective

[@LabTech41]

Hey Jon, any chance you could do a video on how you think the whole ring road project would've worked if it had been fully built as designed. Do you think it would've been worse than what you got, or would it solve some kind of traffic issues you currently have?

[@DIY-DaddyO]

Room left for future projects, that's got to be rare?

[@tonys1636]

The M25 is not technically a ring road, the Dartford Thames crossing is not Motorway, if it was there would be a lot of not allowed on a motorway traffic having to take a long detour to cross the river.

[@CharityAngelSpectrum]

Oh, THAT'S why? That makes a lot of sense. I've been wondering about that for years.

[@pullformore]

Can you please clarify how you feel about that dumbbell junction? It's really not that clear from the video...