A NEW road junction in Oxford has been described as an accident waiting to happen by a national cycling charity.

The Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) has written to Oxfordshire County Council to raise concerns about the re-designed junction between Worcester Street, Hythe Bridge Street and George Street.

It reopened on December 14 after three months of work as part of the first stage of the Frideswide Square redevelopment.

Barriers and the pavement separating Worcester Street from George Street have been removed.

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The group’s Oxford representative James Dawton claimed the junction is now dangerous for cyclists and drivers.

The 53-year-old bicycle mechanic from Kennington said the new design could lead to accidents as cyclists coming up Hythe Bridge Street go straight across to George Street despite left-turn only signs for motorists.

He said: “I regard this junction as an accident waiting to happen. It is the first time I have felt it has been necessary to put out a warning email to cycling groups about a dangerous design.

“The junction has been visually altered for those exiting Hythe Bridge Street.

“What was a left turn-only road has now been replaced by what looks like a full crossroads junction. There is no sign, temporary or otherwise, warning users of the fact that it is still turn left.”

Mr Dawton said after sending out an email to cyclists warning them of the potential dangers, he had spoken to people who had near misses on the junction.

The Frideswide Square project was designed to regenerate the square and improve journey times and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

County councillor Susanna Pressel said: “I have asked the council to evaluate how the junction is working and make urgent improvements.”

Council spokesman Dominic Llewellyn-Jones said: “The county council met with cycling groups during the consultation phase to explain the design of the new junction at Worcester Street.

“Cycling from Hythe Bridge Street to George Street is not an illegal manoeuvre for cyclists and a sign will be installed soon to this effect.

“Road markings and a sign on the traffic lights indicates to motorists that it is left turn only if travelling from Hythe Bridge Street. In addition to this, red ‘new road layout ahead’ signs have been installed on all approaches to the new junction.”

Mr Dawton’s call for changes to be made to the junction has been backed by city cyclists’ group Cyclox.

Chairman Simon Hunt said: “The problem is a failure to allow a sensible route for cyclists to navigate across the new junction.

“The same things are true of pedestrians as well.

“The overall design is wrong in principle. The junction should be three-armed, not four, with vehicles using Park End Street instead of Hythe Bridge Street.”

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