A FURTHER £300,000 will be spent on designs to rid a notorious Oxford junction of traffic lights, it was agreed last night.

Oxfordshire County Council will draw up detailed designs for Frideswide Square, above, based on two options involving roundabouts.

Last month, traffic lights failed at the junction and many motorists reported less congestion.

Further design work, including detailed traffic modelling, will be completed this summer ahead of a third public consultation in the autumn and a final scheme agreed in spring 2012.

But, as reported in the Oxford Mail, the council has admitted it has no money to carry out the redevelopment, which is expected to cost £5m, so is preparing a bid to the Government’s £560m sustainable transport fund.

One option involves having one central road, while the second would see the road split into two.

Officers said the new junction, if built, would result in smooth-flowing traffic and safety improvements for all road users.

However, the report states that accidents involving cyclists are more common at roundabouts.

Liberal democrat councillor Alan Armitage said: “Unless cycle safety can be perceived to be improved people will be very disappointed.”