MOTORISTS are being told to avoid a major route in Oxford if they can during work to improve it.

Oxfordshire County Council has advised drivers to re-think their travel plans as it prepares to start work in London Road in Headington on Monday, October 13.

The £2.1m work – which will run until May 2015 – will involve creating more space for buses and cyclists as well as resurfacing the road itself.

London Road is one of Oxford’s busiest routes, used by around 16,000 vehicles a day, including 900 buses and coaches.

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The repairs coincide with work at Kennington roundabout and the redesign of Frideswide Square.

County councillor David Nimmo Smith, the cabinet member for transport, said: “Delays are to be expected throughout the time when the road works are under way and everyone is being asked to review their daily journey route, mode of transport and time of travel and, where possible, consider alternatives. The first phase will be done by January 2015, and we will leave a break over the Christmas period, before the resurfacing is done in the new year.

“The short-term pain of the work will be worth the long-term gains brought by the improved transport facilities and reconstructed road surface.”

Roadworks on the A40 approach will be carried out by temporarily closing the bus lane and left turn lane on to the eastern bypass. The subway under the A40 will be closed. On the east side of the roundabout, lane restrictions will be used to create working space for the road widening on the north side of the London Road.

This will be followed by road widening on the south side of the road.

Diversion routes will be in place for pedestrians and cyclists and right turns in and out of Lyndworth Close and Northfield Road will be banned.

Work on the bus lane approaching the Green Road roundabout and on the bus stop area at Lyndworth Close is expected to be done by January.

County councillor for Headington Roz Smith said: “I am delighted that the road will finally be resurfaced.”

Stagecoach spokesman Karen Coventry said: “Oxford Tube services towards London will not be able to pick up or drop off at Green Road from October 13 – the Gladstone Road stop will be used as an alternative. Stagecoach Headington Connect services 800 from John Radcliffe Hospital and 900 from Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and 8 and 9 towards Barton will not be able to stop at Green Road. Passengers are advised to use the stop at Gladstone Road.”

Oxford Bus Company spokesman Phil Ashworth said: “We hope there aren’t significant delays in this first phase.

“However, we are making plans for the second stage after Christmas when clashes with other road works around the city are likely.”

DIVERSIONS

  • Closure of Gladstone Road from London Road to Trafford Road – diversion via London Road, Windmill Road, Margaret Road and Quarry High Street
  • Closure of Ramsey Road from London Road to St Leonard’s Road – diversion via London Road, Wharton Road and St Leonard’s Road
  • Closure of The Roundway from London Road service road outside McDonald’s southwards into the Roundway for 46m – diversion via London Road service road, A40 east, A4142 south, Kiln Lane and Green Road
  • Closure of Collinwood Road at its junction with the A40 – diversion via the A40 to Green Road roundabout, south onto the A4142, Kiln Lane and Ridgeway Road
  • No right turn at the central reservation crossing from Nielsen to the A40 eastbound – diversion west to Green Road roundabout and east on the A40
  • No right turn into or out of Lyndworth Close and Northfield Road – diversion from London Road via Barton Road, Hawthorn Avenue, Ash Grove, Barton Lane and Barton Road – diversion into London Road eastbound on London Road


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