A controversial junction is to be revamped with the addition of a new cycle lane as the final piece in £6.4 million improvements to get people out of their cars.

Following the completion of a controversial bus and cycle lane in Lewes Road last year, Brighton and Hove City Council has now approved the most difficult part of the scheme - the notorious Vogue Gyratory.

With five roads converging on a roundabout and a petrol station, pub and supermarket on it, the junction has long been a no go area for cyclists and other road users.

But the local authority believes its £600,000 scheme, with a new two-metre wide cycle lane and pedestrian crossings, will make it easier for people to navigate the area.

This is despite officials admitting there will be a 30-metre “zone of conflict” on the northbound carriageway as vehicles turning left into Sainsbury's car park or Hollingdean Road cross the cycle lane.

In approving the plans at the council's transport committee on Tuesday, Green councillor Ian Davey said: “The actual detail of the design is absolutely essential to make this as safe as we can.

“There is no such thing as a completely safe facility.”

Plans to revamp the junction were drawn up at the same time as the bus lane scheme.

But following concerns about safety, it was agreed to go back to the drawing board and look again at concerns.

As well as a new brightly coloured cycle lane, the revised plans will see the creation of a new bus stop which can be used by “bendy buses” and new markings to make it clearer.

A raised area across the entrance to the Sainsbury's car park is intended to make it easier for pedestrians.

Officials said if the scheme was not given the go-ahead the traffic lights would need to be replaced anyway at a cost of up to £250,000.

Conservative councillor Graham Cox said: “Obviously I would like to knock the whole thing down and start again.

“We do need to watch it very closely but on balance it is probably as good as we can get it.”

Green councillor Chris Hawtree called it the “Vogue respiratory” adding teh junction currently was “pretty grim”.

But speaking after the meeting, Steve Percy, of motoring lobby group People's Parking Protest, said: “I'm just really upset to think that Brighton will become a no-go area for cars.

“I think we are pushing forward too quickly on too many fronts.”

The next step will be to publish traffic regulation orders. Work will start in spring or summer and last at least four months, the council said.

It added the scheme will be paid for from ring-fenced transport budgets.