IT’S known as the Magic Roundabout and it's famous around the world.
IN 1947, when it was announced that Hemel Hempstead was to become a new town, what we know today as the Magic Roundabout at the entrance to the town centre was little more than a road junction between Station Road, Wood Lane, Lawn Lane and Marlowes.
There was no St Albans Road dual carriageway and traffic at that time was light.
But as the new town came traffic movements grew and by 1953 the Ministry of Transport came up with a £5,000 temporary scheme for a roundabout.
Eventually, in 1955 a scheme for a roundabout was agreed which would involve the demolition of The Plough pub which is pictured.
The roundabout eventually opened in 1956, but it was much different from the busy Magic Roundabout of today which is known throughout the world.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that traffic volumes and the size of the town had increased so much that it became clear something would have to be done to ease the congestion and the Magic Roundabout was born.Work began on a scheme which would incorporate six mini roundabouts in early 1973 and the new look roundabout was opened as an experiment in June 1973. It's pictured here on the opening day.
Its opening attracted then national press and television and the Gazette reported it caused some of the biggest traffic jams ever seen in Hemel Hempstead.
It was the first such roundabout to be opened anywhere and it quickly settled down to ease the town’s traffic problems.
It had been an experiment, but within a year it had been agreed to make it permanent and the people of the town soon took “their” roundabout to their hearts.
Such was the feeling for the roundabout and its success that in the 1990s when some traffic experts suggested that traffic lights should replace it a Save Our Roundabout campaign (masterminded by The Gazette) was launched with stickers and a mass petition.
The roundabout is pictured here from the air in 1996.
Since the picture was taken the entrance into the Marlowes has been re-opened, but for buses only.
Further changes are being planned for the roundabout to make it easier for buses to negotiate.

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