A HOLE half-a-metre deep has caused one lane of the A34 to close and will cause further disruption later today.

One lane of the road’s southbound carriageway between the M40 and the B430 at Weston-on-the-Green as closed after the hole was discovered during a routine inspection at 9.50am.

It remains shut for safety reasons and the entire southbound section of the road in the same location will close from 8pm to allow a more detailed inspection to be carried out.

Highways England said this was required before any repairs could start and that the road would remain closed overnight.

Stagecoach bus company’s S5 and NS5 buses towards Oxford will be diverted as a result and would be unable to serve stops at Wendlebury Town or Chesterton Turn.

People who normally catch the bus here have been advised to go to the Bicester Village stop.

Drivers have been advised to plan their journeys and allow extra time.