A controversial junction designed to "slow down" drivers that the council was forced to defend has had road markings added to it.

When the Desborough Road area was overhauled with a "shared space" design by the then-Bucks County Council back in 2017, they faced criticism from residents over the lack of road markings.

"Shared space" removes features such as kerbs, road surface markings, traffic signs, and traffic lights and hopes to make drivers take more care when driving as a result.

Many of these shared space aspects were introduced into High Wycombe as part of the town centre masterplan.

Drivers were left fearing an accident could happen because no one was sure who had priority at the Bridge Street junction.

But the council defended themselves, saying the lack of road markings would mean drivers and pedestrians have to “pay more attention” to what other road users are doing and that “drivers have to think more and so they instinctively slow down".

They came into further criticism when a nasty crash involving two cars at the Bridge Street and Desborough Road junction in 2018 left many drivers angry.

However, regular visitors to the area will have noticed that 'give way' road markings have now been painted at the junction by Buckinghamshire Council.

When asked by the Bucks Free Press why these lines have been painted, despite claims the junction was safe, a Buckinghamshire Council spokesman said: "These works are part of the High Wycombe Town Centre Masterplan remedial works and repairs.

"Buckinghamshire Council has taken the opportunity as part of other lining works to include some additional road markings at this location as part of a consistent design approach along the Alternative Route.

"Similar road markings to the new Bridge Street have been in place on the Desborough Road/Westbourne Street junction since 2018 to aid drivers.

"This approach was then incorporated onto other key junctions as each subsequent phase was completed and the layout and traffic priority was changed.

"Additional parking signage has also been added along the Alternative Route to support parking enforcement colleagues."

The addition of road markings has been welcomed, with one driver saying: "I'm really pleased to see this. I've complained about this junction twice and also sent dash-cam footage of a near miss with a bus - to be told that they wouldn't consider painting give way lines or signage as it would spoil the look of the area(!).

"Glad there has been a change of heart."