You can cross the entire city of Milton Keynes without hitting a single traffic light. Here’s how the grid road system was designed to make this possible.
One of the most remarkable things about driving in Milton Keynes is that you can cross the entire city — from one side to the other — without stopping at a single traffic light. This is entirely by design.
The grid road system was planned so that all junctions between grid roads would be roundabouts rather than traffic lights. This keeps traffic flowing continuously and, in theory, means you never have to stop at a red light when travelling on the main grid roads.
How the Grid Works
MK’s grid roads run roughly north-south and east-west at approximately one kilometre intervals. Every intersection is a roundabout. The roads are named using a simple H (horizontal) and V (vertical) numbering system — H5 Portway, V6 Grafton Street, and so on.
Over 1,000 Roundabouts
The result is that MK has over 1,000 roundabouts — more than almost anywhere else in the country. Locals are so accustomed to them that visitors often find the sheer number overwhelming at first.
Does It Actually Work?
Traffic engineers have consistently praised the system for its efficiency. During peak hours, traffic on MK’s grid roads flows significantly faster than in comparable cities with traditional traffic light systems.
This is part of our Discover MK series — facts, history and hidden stories about Milton Keynes.
