A JUDGE has criticised the layout of Oxford's Cowley Road after a cyclist was injured avoiding a collision with a bus.

Judge Charles Harris awarded David Simms, of Pegasus Road, Blackbird Leys, damages of nearly £9,000 after he fell from his cycle and broke his arm swerving to avoid being hit by a bus.

Judge Harris told a hearing at Oxford County Court: "The constrictions involved in the modifications made to the road have certainly not made life any easier for bus drivers and cyclists."

Mr Simms, 45, a self-employed painter-decorator, was off work for 12 weeks after the accident in September 2005. He sued Oxford Bus Company, which denied liability.

The accident happened near Tesco, where the road layout has been redesigned and narrowed as part of a £1.3m Oxfordshire County Council scheme designed to make it safer.

Mr Simms said: "If I hadn't turned to avoid the bus I might not have been here.

"The road narrows so dramatically, buses have to swing out into the road, meaning their back swings out.

"It is so dangerous. It is only a matter of time before somebody gets killed - I was lucky.

"The only safe way to get through the stretch that goes past Tesco would be to get off and walk. It's got to be one of the worst roads in Oxford for cyclists."

But the county council defended the scheme, which as well as narrowing the road, saw the imposition of a 20mph speed limit, and cyclist signs painted in the middle of the carriageway.

Assistant principal engineer Tony Kirkwood said: "Since the Cowley Road scheme was completed in November 2005 there has been a 40 per cent reduction in all accidents and a 20 per cent reduction in cycling accidents.

"Those facts speak for themselves.

"There has never been enough room to put in a useful cycle lane on this stretch of road that would not be constantly obstructed by vehicles stopping to unload."

James Styring, of cyclists' group Cyclox, said dozens of cyclists had complained about the road since the changes were made.

He said: "Overall the Cowley Road is a bit better, but while they have cured some problems, dangers have been introduced - such as the road getting suddenly wider and narrower.

"The idea of that section is that cyclists go in the middle of the road and everything travels at the speed of the cyclist.

"The most important message for cyclists is to cycle a safe distance from the kerb and know what is behind you."

Louisa Weeks, director and general manager of Oxford Bus Company, said she was disappointed the judge had awarded damages against the company - as the bus involved had not been identified.

She added: "Our drivers are aware of the need for extra vigilance in the area and that is stressed during their training."