No one thinks that the Frideswide Square junction outside Oxford Rail Station is fit for purpose. It is awkward and it causes more problems than it solves.

The question is how much you need to do to ensure that traffic can negotiate it without delay, and at no danger to other road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists.

Turning off the traffic lights is a start. We all know that the traffic will move more freely and quickly without lights at that point, whether it is the school holidays or not.

The last thing we want to see, though, is traffic racing through without care and attention and causing a danger to other vehicles and to cyclists and pedestrians.

Some form of engineered solution is required, but does it need to be an expensive one?

If it is going to cost a lot of money, it will be dependent on Government finance.

That may mean it will not happen for a very long time.

Previous council reports have suggested a series of roundabouts. This will involve a good deal of expense and there will be no safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.

Indeed, they may well argue that the junction will be more dangerous for them.

Shared space is a concept that is gathering momentum and it has been tested successfully on the Continent.

Essentially, the road is engineered in such a way — usually a levelling of the pavement and the road surface — to give the impression that it is a pedestrian area and those on foot have priority.

It is naturally suited to areas of low traffic and Frideswide Square would, most likely, be unsuitable for a full shared-space scheme. A significant shared-space solution could also prove expensive.

Combining some elements of shared space with the removal of lights could offer a cheaper way forward. We think perhaps of a raised junction or raised crossings to calm the movement of traffic as it passes through.

Ultimately, it may not be possible to satisfy all users of the junction, particularly pedestrians. The footbridge across Botley Road to the station means there are options for moving pedestrians around the area without having to cross the central area of Frideswide Square.

We await the impending county council report on the square with interest.