For those interested in such things, here is a somewhat clunky `python` approach to simplify a relatively complex road-network, such as the Armley Gyratory in Leeds by

1. Taking a base road network and gluing the elements into a single MultiLineString geometry
2. Buffering the geometry at a, say, 8m width, truncating the buffer sections with a pointy end
3. Count the base road sections in 1 in each of the buffers in 2, and combine the sections with a count > 1 into round ended buffer sections