TMP Sight Screens Support Safer Roundabout Approaches in Essex

TMP Sight Screens Support Safer Roundabout Approaches in Essex

On high-speed approaches to busy roundabouts, one of the biggest challenges is driver behaviour.

If drivers can see whether the roundabout is clear from too far back on the approach, they can sometimes make their decision too early. Instead of recognising the junction as a hazard, they may assume the way ahead is clear and carry too much speed into the approach.

That was the thinking behind a recent installation on the eastbound approach to a roundabout on the A130 in Essex, where a 65-metre run of TMP Sight Screens has been installed as part of a wider casualty reduction scheme.

The site carries a mix of cars and commercial vehicles, with traffic moving from a national speed limit dual carriageway towards a busy roundabout. For highway teams, the challenge is to help drivers adjust their behaviour before they reach the junction.

The challenge

Roundabout approaches can be difficult to manage, especially where vehicles are moving from higher-speed sections of road into a more complex junction environment.

When drivers can see traffic on the roundabout from further back on the approach, some may judge that the way ahead appears clear and continue at a speed that is not appropriate for the approach.

The issue is not simply whether the roundabout can be seen. It is how early drivers make decisions, how quickly they are travelling when they make those decisions and whether they approach the give-way line with enough caution.

TMP was asked to provide a practical solution for the eastbound approach, with the aim of helping influence driver behaviour before vehicles reached the roundabout itself.

The TMP solution

A 65-metre run of TMP Sight Screens was installed in late April 2026.

A TMP Sight Screen is designed to prevent drivers from seeing traffic on the roundabout too early from further back on the approach. Because they cannot see whether the way is clear until they reach the give-way line, drivers are encouraged to slow down, approach with greater care and make their decision at the correct point.

This helps drivers respond to the roundabout as a hazard, rather than simply treating it as another part of the road ahead.

The TMP Sight Screen is a modular, reboundable visibility screen designed to reduce vehicle speeds on the approach to roundabouts. It is built using the same components as the Evo-Chev and can be made to suit the required length of the site.

For this scheme, the 65-metre installation provides a clear and purposeful intervention on a busy approach where speed, sightlines and driver behaviour are all important considerations.

Why Sight Screens?

TMP Sight Screens are a practical way to support casualty reduction schemes on roundabout and junction approaches.

Their role is not simply to make a site more noticeable. They help influence how drivers read the road. By preventing drivers from seeing whether the roundabout is clear too early on the approach, the screen reduces the temptation to make an early decision at speed and encourages a more cautious approach to the give-way line.

That makes Sight Screens particularly useful on fast approaches to roundabouts, where drivers need to recognise that the road environment is changing and respond accordingly.

They can also be tailored to the needs of the site, making them a flexible option for locations where approach speeds, early driver decision-making or repeated impacts are a concern.

Reviewing performance over time

The installation has only been in place since late April 2026, so the true impact will be measured over time.

TMP will continue to review the site over the coming months to understand how the scheme performs over a longer period, including whether it helps reduce incidents, impacts and future maintenance visits.

That measured approach is important. The best highway products do not just need to look good on day one. They need to prove their value through safer roads, fewer callouts and better whole-life performance.

A practical step towards safer roads

Every road safety challenge is different, but on high-speed roundabout approaches, small changes to driver behaviour can make a meaningful difference.

This Essex scheme shows how targeted roadside products can support casualty reduction work by helping drivers slow earlier, approach more carefully and assess the junction at the right point.

At TMP, we are always interested in how everyday highway products can support safer, smarter and more cost-effective roads.

TMP Sight Screens are another example of that thinking in action.

If you are reviewing a roundabout, junction or high-speed approach where early driver decision-making, approach speeds or repeated impacts are a concern, speak to TMP about Sight Screens and our wider range of highway safety products.