Overview: A City on Roundabouts

Milton Keynes, established in the late 1960s, adopted a unique H‑ and V‑road grid network, with nearly every intersection managed by roundabouts instead of traffic. This layout was deliberately chosen to promote smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion across the developing “new town.”

How Many Roundabouts?

While exact counts fluctuate slightly as new junctions are added or modified, all credible sources agree that there are over 120 roundabouts, with most estimates pointing to around 130.

• “More than 130 roundabouts” – as featured in a Milton Facts page on the cities official tourism website.

• Over 120 confirmation – an estate agent quoted “home to over 120 roundabouts“.

👉 Bottom line: The city is home to roughly 120 to 130 roundabouts, depending on how recent infrastructure changes are counted.

Why So Many?

• Efficient traffic management: Roundabouts keep traffic moving, avoiding the stop-start delays of traffic lights.

• Safety benefits: Studies show roundabouts reduce accident rates significantly compared to traffic signal junctions — part of why Milton Keynes embraced them wholesale.

• A signature city style: The grid‑and‑roundabout system has become a defining urban feature of Milton Keynes, even drawing academic and technological interest (e.g. self-driving car trials) .