RESIDENTS in Risinghurst fear they are in for a long period of traffic chaos after a bad first week of new roadworks.

Major roadworks on London Road in Headington began last Monday and are expected to last until May next year.

Headington and Quarry councillor Roz Smith said: “People I’ve spoken to are already fed up with the volume of traffic.

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“The roadworks only started on Monday and they are going until May.

“They say there’s no gain without pain but there’s going to be a lot of pain.”

Risinghurt county councillor Glynis Phillips added: “The first week was horrendous, a mixture of roadworks, weather change and dreadful accidents.

“No one’s going to forget that first week.”

Cllr Smith is also concerned there will be extra vehicles using the residential roads through Risinghurst.

“As the weather worsens more people will take a car rather than cycling and I worry motorists will ignore the signs saying ‘don’t use Collinwood Road’ and will cut through.”

Work to widen and resurface London Road for buses and cyclists will be carried out in two phases, with a break at Christmas. And improvements to the Kiln Lane junction in Risinghurst have to be carried out before the end of March next year.

Cllr Philips said: “It’s use it or lose it money.

“The Kiln Lane works is 11 nights and that will have to be factored in around the existing roadworks, which is going to be tough.”

The subway under the Green Road roundabout has been closed until Christmas and there are also concerns for Barton and Risinghurst residents’ safety.

Cllr Phillips encouraged residents to continue to use local businesses despite access being more difficult.

She said: “The businesses in Risinghurst are still open. There’s been a significant drop in footfall over the last week but there’s no reason why people shouldn’t continue to use local hairdressers or stores.”

Barton and Sandhills councillor Mike Rowley, said: “This is very inconvenient, especially for elderly residents, and the fear is more people will use the unsafe A40 crossing at Collinwood Road.

“We’re pressing for the subway to be reopened as soon as it’s safe to do so, and continuing to support the Barton and Risinghurst residents’ campaign for a safe crossing between the two.”

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