Confused drivers have blasted changes to road markings at a busy junction in Hamilton.

Motorists have complained on social media about the new layout at the intersection of Reid Street and Queen Street in the city.

Edward Benevides, chief operating officer at the City of Hamilton, said the junction had “not changed, for the most part”.

He added: “It’s just that people have ignored the rules in that area for so long.”

Mr Benevides said the speed bump at the zebra crossing was removed for this weekend’s triathlon races, which “seemed to trigger the speed demon” in car and bike drivers.

He explained many had ignored stop signs on Queen Street and drove straight through.

Mr Benevides said road users in the right lane of one-way Queen Street must stop as usual, with traffic from Reid Street having right of way.

In the left lane of Queen Street, drivers headed towards Church Street were previously able to pass straight through with priority for pedestrians crossing the road.

The Corporation converted that lane to a stop sign to prevent drivers “ignoring pedestrians and ploughing through because of the removal of the speed bump”.

The two lanes of traffic in Reid Street, also one way, remain as before. In the north lane, traffic restrictions apply for pedestrians, while the south lane gives way to the far lane of Queen Street.

Mr Benevides said the only change to the junction was that the western lane of Queen Street “now has a stop sign and road marking of the same”.