PLANS to make an East Oxford roundabout safer have taken a step forward.

The Plain junction, which connects five roads, including High Street, Iffley Road and Cowley Road, is to have a larger central island and a central cycle lane to be added on approach.

Roads leading to it will also be narrowed and junctions modified under the near £1m scheme.

But cycle group Cyclox has claimed the measures fall short and that many cyclists are intimidated by the roundabout’s lay-out.

At a meeting in County Hall yesterday, Cyclox chairman Simon Hunt expressed support for the scheme but called it “seriously unambitious”.

He said: “Cyclox supports the county council’s aim to increase levels of cycling in Oxford, but have concluded these changes will hardly make any difference.”

Mr Hunt said not enough was being done to reduce vehicle speeds.

He added: “If speeds do not slow, then the scheme will not work.”

Cyclox has also called for other types of bikes, such as those towing trailers for children, to be considered when planning the width of the lanes.

Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for transport David Nimmo-Smith approved the measures, but said it would be “an evolving process”.