Those close to a busy Nottinghamshire roundabout have shared what life is like living and working just a few metres away from a "noisy" island with sometimes "crazy" traffic. Bramcote Island is a popular and well-used route by commuters throughout the county.
Those travelling between the city centre and the M1 and Derby frequent the roundabout, which is usually busy with cars, buses and lorries throughout the day and night. But for those who have set up home next to the busy spot, the noise, pollution and traffic can sometimes be overwhelming.
Ann Hall, who lives on the A52 next to Bramcote Island, said: "It's very noisy and dirty here, but the double glazing helps in the house. The back garden is also very noisy."
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Ann's property is one of a number of homes that sits just meters away from traffic lights heading onto the island. Cars heading eastbound come at speed to continue down a further stretch of the A52, towards Bardills Island.
"People keep hitting the railing down at the lights and we see some accidents," she added. "It's got noisier because there used to be grass between the road and the pavement but they widened the road so now we're closer."
But despite the noise, the 71-year-old retiree said: "We've been here 40 years now and we wouldn't move." Abigail Moon's bedroom backs onto Bramcote Island. The 23-year-old University of Nottingham student said: "I do hear it but it doesn't bother me, you can hear it if the window is open though.
"The location is quite good to go to places, it only takes a few minutes to get to university. The noise isn't a worry for us, we've not been here long, but I'll let you know if I've got tinnitus in the next few months!"
The roundabout can take drivers to Bramcote Village, Trowell, Beeston, Nottingham city centre and Stapleford as well as providing a quick route westbound to Derby city centre and easy access to the M1. It's also frequented by buses including the Trent Barton Red Arrow and the i4, both of which connect Derby and Nottingham.
Some residents enjoyed the convenience of living so close to a main, well-connected road. David Lowe, a 29-year-old software engineer, said: "It's actually relatively quiet. We moved here two years ago. We were worried at first but it's actually quite quiet.
"We're originally from north Nottinghamshire, but then we moved to be in West Bridgford and the travel from there was too far, if you want to get to the M1, you have to go through the city centre. Here, we're about five minutes from junction 25."
Another Nottingham Road resident added: "It's not massively noisy or busy at the moment, but if there's traffic or there's been an accident it can be bad. We're set quite far back off the road so the noise isn't too much.
"But it's got worse while we've lived here, the pollution isn't great either when it comes through the windows. The reason we moved here is because of the price, we needed somewhere that could fit us all in and something this size costs a lot more on a quiet street.
"But we did buy this house too because it was close to a bus stop in town and to school for the kids, but they don't like living next to a main road, they want to move. In the back garden, you can hear a bit of noise, but it's more the constant rumble from the M1 than anything else.
But some businesses regard pitching up by the island as a benefit, which increases the number of people it can bring through the doors. The Sherwin Arms pub, located in Nottingham Road on the island's junction, enjoys its prominent spot.
Mitch Sankey, 30, a pub worker, said: "It's been very good. It's been busy recently and we have quite a fair few people come through. Being here is absolutely a benefit for us. Being close to a main road is good for a pub, but sometimes the traffic is crazy."
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