The mysterious patterns appeared in Church Street after works at the junction with Gosbrook Road were completed on April 7.

Since workmen cleared up and left the site, many who walk and drive in the area are unsure as to what the markings actually mean.

Ivor Carter, of Caversham, said: “We were stood there the other day thinking this is not in the highway code whatsoever, and we were wondering what they were there for.

“Cars did not know whether to stop or wait and pedestrians were doing the same.

“There was a woman there with a pushchair just looking and the cars did not know whether to stop or go on.”

The white markings, which resemble a brick walkway are not listed in the highway code as a crossing with priorities.

However a Reading Borough Council spokesman said the additions were classed as a surface change, akin to pressure points to aid the visually impaired.

Chris Walton, chairman of Caversham Traders’ Association, believes the markings may be an experiment by the council.

He said: “I think the idea is to make the roads a bit more user-friendly for pedestrians and drivers.

“I think they thought 'we can see whether this works’ and find out if it stops motorists from hanging around.

“It does appear to work as motorists feel that they are doing something wrong by stopping actually on the lines.”

A Reading Borough Council spokesman said: “The new markings are an additional safety measure at what is a busy and well-used junction in Caversham.

“They do not replace the pedestrian islands but are used to draw drivers’ attention to the fact pedestrians could be looking to cross there. Pedestrians must still wait until the road is clear before crossing.

“As with any major junction, we would advise all road users to be aware and alert to each other’s movements. The new markings are intended to help with that and have been successfully used in other areas.”