A city centre road junction has been redesigned by our city planners and it seems to be causing some confusion.

The offending juncture is between Worcester Street, Hythe Bridge Street and George Street and is part of the redevelopment of Frideswide square.

The problem lies in that where there was once a barrier and even quite a large section of pavement there is now only open road.

The first time I saw the change was from the view of a car; initially it was confusing as there were no signs or road markings suggesting what to do.

As an Oxford resident of course I followed the same path as usual. Had I not known where to go I could have been left performing a quick U-turn, much to everyone’s annoyance on George Street.

The next visit was as a cyclist. The junction seemed even more ridiculous as where once were clear cycle routes to George Street there was nothing, and a left turn only for returning traffic from Hythe Bridge Street doesn’t apply to cycles – but nothing alerts the other users to the fact.

As I rarely walk around this junction I am usually whizzing through on my way to the station or Botley Road. I have not experienced it from the view of the pedestrian yet but it’s not hard to imagine the added difficulties and waiting time as there is now a great big section of road to cross where before there was handy pavement. I read the Frideswide redevelopment was designed to rejuvenate the square and improve journey times and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

Well, I am not sure how this first phase is benefiting anyone except motorised traffic, by removing pavements and cycle lanes they have opened up a closed junction which provided refuge to pedestrians and showed a clear route for all other traffic.

It’s a real shame to see such a large chunk of pavement seemingly disappear. It was not as if I felt very prepared as the plans that I have seen for Frideswide Square didn’t include this junction, just the main area around the station.

The new design of the George Street junction has already caused controversy in the papers and it seemed the talk of the town among fellow cyclists last week; I haven’t encountered anyone yet who seems to like it.

I wonder if once we see the complete picture it will make sense. Perhaps the opening of the juncture is to accommodate traffic that would ordinarily have to pass through Frideswide Square, so therefore it will ease the traffic build-up, or perhaps some clever pedestrian and cycle crossing will be erected, something that prioritises those without a car.

The Frideswide Square works are set to continue, with roundabout sections replacing the slow traffic light system of navigation for cars, and large boulevards are promised with open public spaces promising a nicer experience for the pedestrian by winter 2015. The cyclist has been promised cycle ways on the paved areas in a revamp of the plans, after public consultation, instead of cycle lanes on the road. A step in the right direction at least for cycling. Let’s hope it’s more helpful than the George Street redesign.