The build-out near the Co-op shop area is visible in the distance. Even though oncoming drivers are on the other side of the road, my approaching car will still be visible to them IF they are looking ahead and IF they have approached at the appropriate speed. A give way sign / line means, ‘be prepared to stop!’
It could be argued that, if the trees and bushes on the right are not pruned fully, the view for drivers approaching the build-out, is obscured and they will not be able to see my car for a brief period. However, this only becomes a problem if they have approached the build-out at such a speed, as to need to brake hard and pull back on to their side of the road, as my car comes in to view. This issue would of course be made worse, if a car in my position was also exceeding the 30 mph speed limit, as some do.
The fact of the matter is, that the build-out is designed to work in both directions. Not only should it cause the on coming car to slow, so that the driver has time to see if it is safe to drive on, it should also cause a car in my position to slow, having seen a car driving around the build-out.
As I’m approaching build-out, a car is approaching at speed and even though they must see me if they are looking ahead, they show no inclination to slow down and speed past the build-out. Also notice the cyclist just passing through the build-out cycle path – you’ll see why in the next shot.
Having forced their way through, the car driver continues on in the same unsafe manner, dangerously overtaking the cyclist. Clearly build-outs don’t work when people are this ignorant.
Roger Gambba-Jones 
It’s a shame you don’t show the pictures taken whilst coming from the opposite direction which would clearly show that as you approach the build out, there is a blind spot which means that yes you can see traffic near the pedestrian crossing but you can’t see if there are any other vehicles closer.
This problem is exaggerated when driving a left hand drive car or bus.
Traffic calming should still allow for the smooth flow of traffic. The current design requires the driver to approach to a near stop in order to maintain the ability to stop should a vehicle appear out of said blind spot.
I think the rule is that you should drive at a speed that always allows you to stop in the distance you can see to be clear and on your side of the road. Because of this blind spot, as I said, your approach speed has to be greatly reduced to a near stop to avoid breaking this rule
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I will post the images I’ve got from a video taken in the opposite direction of travel when I get time and maybe some bits of video, if they’ll upload.
Yes, you can argue that you are unable to see the whole length of the roadway for the whole of your approach. This is made slightly worse by the planting on the left had side, at the the point you refer to. I will talk to our grounds maint team to get this area cut back properly.
Having now looked at it yet again and made careful observations this morning, I’ve a feeling that this, potential, brief blind spot, may well have been the intention of the designers of these build-outs. If you approach the build out, at a speed that would allow you to smooth stop at the give way line, if needed, you will also have time to see along the road to confirm that it is either safe to proceed, or that you need to come a full stop.
This design may not be to the liking of most drivers, but I genuinely think that this was the intention and that your last sentence is wholly accurate.
The purpose of the traffic calming build outs, is to remind drivers that they are entering a wholly residential area, where people and especially children, will be moving about on foot, or maybe a bicycle and that the speed of their vehicle should be significantly moderated accordingly.
Your point about allowing traffic to continue to flow smoothly is valid in most circumstances and is obviously what traffic humps and the other non-obstruction calming is for. However, build outs serve a slightly different purpose, as they could well require the driver to come to a complete stop.
No doubt you will not be happy to hear that I am not that sympathetic to the inconvenience these build outs cause to drivers, as they potentially cause enough of an obstruction to discourage more HGV traffic, than we already see, using this road.
Finally, I will also confess to being the cause of the curves and as a consequence, the mini-roundabouts towards the Monks House Lane end of the link road. When the final connection road was initially planned, it was wide and very straight, a clear invitation for inconsiderate drivers to do excessive speed, as they already do on the straight section of Wygate Park, even with the build outs on it.
I know many drivers have developed the habit of hopping over the roundabouts, but that is more about the shortcomings of the drivers and their attitude, than it is about the design of these roundabouts.
There has been a suggestion that some form of screening could be installed on one roundabout, to limit the view and thereby remove the temptation for drivers to jump the roundabout.
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