A THIRD public consultation is set to be launched this autumn on the future of Oxford’s most notorious junction.

Oxfordshire County Council wants to remove all the traffic lights from Frideswide Square, outside Oxford railway station, and replace them with a system of roundabouts and “shared space”.

It has now discounted other alternatives, including a simplified system of lights and diverting traffic onto surrounding streets.

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

Four options were originally put forward last year, but the council is expected to agree for two “roundabout-based” options to be taken forward at a meeting later this month.

More detailed design work will be undertaken before more public consultation this autumn.

Highways engineers will then revise the scheme before the council decides the final design in spring 2012.

The council said it has agreed a general approach that would see the traffic lights removed and replaced by roundabouts following two phases of public consultation.

Both options that have been put forward for further design work include compact roundabouts, reduced road widths and “courtesy crossing points”.

The council said the majority of respondents had supported this way forward during consultation, including Oxford City Council.

Steve Howell, the council’s head of transport, said: “We are determined to make Frides-wide Square a smart and efficient area that welcomes people to Oxford, keeps traffic flowing and is safe and welcoming for all road users.

“We have been rigorous in asking for people’s views throughout this process and we’ve now reached a stage where there is a broad consensus behind the idea of creating shared space roundabouts and removing traffic lights.

“There is more design work to do to develop the scheme further, and we’ll be speaking to local people on that detail at the same time as exploring every single avenue to pay for work.”

Richard Mann, of cycling group Cyclox, said traffic lights were better for cyclists.

He added: “At roundabouts you have to judge whether there is a gap as there is no light to tell you it’s your turn to go.”

The two options for Frideswide Square are set to be agreed at a meeting on March 24.