EXTRA signs for cyclists will be installed at a junction after the Oxford Mail highlighted concerns about safety.
Oxfordshire County Council said it had “looked closely” at the junction of Worcester Street, George Street and Hythe Bridge Street in Oxford.
Earlier this month we revealed fears from cyclists that there were not enough signs. A four-way traffic light system was introduced as part of the Frideswide Square project, but The Cyclists’ Touring Club said it was outraged at the design.
The county council said it decided to introduce more signs after a safety audit.
County Councillor David Nimmo Smith said: “We have looked closely at how the junction is working for cyclists and decided to make some minor changes which should make a big difference.
“Over the next couple of weeks we will introduce extra signs to advise cyclists that they are permitted to make any movement at the junction when approaching from Hythe Bridge Street.
“Under the previous layout cyclists were also allowed to make all movements as long as they gave way to oncoming traffic at the pedestrian controlled crossing.
“Under the new junction operation, this has not changed, but we will be introducing a ‘storage area’ in the middle of the junction to provide an area for them to wait for traffic to clear before they proceed.”
The county council said it was continuing to monitor the junction to see if the changes work.
But County Councillor for Jericho and Osney Susanna Pressel said the changes were not enough to solve the safety issues.
She said: “New signs would certainly not be enough, even with the small road markings that are also proposed.
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“This is a uniquely dangerous junction for cyclists, quite possibly the only one in the world, where traffic from the west and traffic from the north both have a green light at the same time, while cycling is permitted going straight on from the west (Hythe Bridge Street) to the east (George Street).
“I have had many, many complaints about this dangerous junction from cyclists in my division and from cycling organisations.
“Pedestrians are also very unhappy with this new junction, because they have to wait far longer to cross the road. I have seen many people getting fed up with waiting and crossing on a red light.”
Mr Dawton welcomed the changes.
He said: “There needs to be some form of sign to communicate with cyclists that when they go through this green light, they do have to give way to traffic.
“It is quite unusual for cyclists to have to give way when a light is on green.
“It’s one of those things, but it should be workable when the signs are in place.”
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