I certainly like the look of the new layout, but if they are not prepared to defend the safety of the removal of these railings, then it must be better for them to return, until they can remove the railings in conjunction with proper consideration for pedestrian safety. Earlier in this thread I suggested that TfL are experts and know what they are doing. I now completely retract any suggestion of their competence, and I apologise for misleading people.

Personally I always crossed outside of the fenced area as I prefer to dodge the traffic as the lights change, and I don't like queuing on a pedestrian island.

Yesterday I noticed a bike coming at me across this pedestrian island to go down to the subway. I'm not sure if this counts as a safety improvement on this pedestrian crossing.