WORK to improve a busy junction in Oxford to help prepare for the opening of the new Westgate Centre will not be completed until 2018, it has emerged.

Earlier this year Oxfordshire County Council unveiled its latest proposals for the four-way junction of Worcester Street with Hythe Bridge Street and George Street.

Council leaders wants to add traffic islands and turning restrictions to ease congestion when the revamped Westgate shopping centre opens, bringing an estimated 41,000 shoppers a day.

The junction was redesigned in late 2014 at a cost of £300,000 and the latest changes are part of a package of measures to prepare for the new £440m centre opening on October 24.

County council spokesman Martin Crabtree said some work would be completed before October 20, when a 'roadworks embargo' will be implemented in the city centre until the new year but the final layout will not be completed until early next year.

Liberal Democrat county councillor John Howson said: "The work should have been finished over the summer.

"It would be better if the work was completed before the Westgate Centre opens but if that is not possible then the council should consider night-time and evening work in the new year so it doesn't add to traffic delays."

Last week Mr Howson put forward a series of proposals to combat congestion following the opening of the shopping centre.

These included the possible introduction of temporary traffic lights at the Oxpens Road roundabout in Frideswide Square during evening rush-hour.

Mr Crabtree said proposals for the Worcester Street junction were aimed at 'improving safety for cyclists and accommodating efficient bus journey times and movements around the city’s road network while not impeding general vehicular traffic'.

He added: "Proposals included physical kerbing to the cycle refuge marking, implementing some additional prohibited vehicle movements, and changes to signal timings and phasings."

Mr Crabtree said following the completion of a road safety audit further design work was highlighted as necessary.

This will ensure that any potential conflicts between vehicles, buses, cyclists and pedestrians is minimised.

He added: "These further considerations are due to take place over the next couple of months with a view to implementing the final layout early in 2018 after the works embargo.

"These changes may result in the need for further consultation.

"In the interim, some minor works are due to take place before October 20 at the junction, such as the installation of ‘bolt down’ kerbing at the head of the cycle refuge markings and adjustments to signal timings where appropriate."

Mr Crabtree said as work was still being finalised it was difficult to estimate the total cost.

Other work to be completed before October 20 includes improvements to bus stops on High Street, St Aldate's, Park End Street and Hythe Bridge Street.

A new bus layover bay will be provided on Old Greyfriars Street, a taxi rank on Cornmarket Street and amendments to loading and taxi provision on High Street and St Aldate's.

Work at the St Aldate's/Speedwell Street junction and New Road/ Park End Street/Worcester Street junction will be completed from January.