The delay in a footpath reopening has promoted concern from a councillor who has said the "goalposts are constantly being changed" for the Banbury Road roundabout upgrade works.

Work on phase two of the major roundabout redesign is scheduled to start today (Wednesday, May 8) with work to widen the southbound approach of Banbury Road. 

The existing roundabout and islands will also be removed in this phase with work due to start on this section of the phase tomorrow (Thursday, May 9). 

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Fringford Road will remain closed with a route will be available around the roundabout via narrow lanes and four-way manned temporary traffic lights.

It was initially planned that the Fringford Road footway and pavement would reopen this week, but this has been pushed back to the end of the month.

This is due to contractors not yet finishing the footway, meaning it is still unsafe for pedestrians or cyclists to use, according to a letter from Oxfordshire County Council.

Donna Ford, county councillor for Bicester North and Caversfield, said: “I am extremely frustrated as are residents that the goalposts are constantly being changed for this project and never in the favour of residents.

“We now have the footpath and Fringford Road closed for longer than additionally planned and the closure date for the Banbury Road has also been changed.

“Many of the issues experienced to date were warned about 2 and a half years ago when cabinet ignored the design favoured by residents who foresaw what installing lights would do to the traffic flow.

“The biggest concern from residents is that the current traffic is a sign of things to come when the junction is completed.”

It is expected phase two of the roundabout works will be completed by the end of July.

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Phase three of the plans will see Banbury Road set to close until October 2024, with traffic heading to Bicester redirected via the ring road.

The temporary closure is currently advertised as from July 30 on the Oxfordshire County Council website.

It has previously been communicated the closure would be on July 28 and even at the beginning of the month on July 1.

These dates were provided to give flexibility to manoeuvre between the dates, though works are still on track to proceed at the end of July.

At the time, Ms Ford said: "It's extremely frustrating for residents that the closure of the Banbury Road may be longer than previously anticipated.

"Something changes almost daily."

Work on the A4095 westbound is set for October 2024 to January 2025.

The final construction stages will see road surfacing on the B4100 in January 2025 and electrical works carried out in early February 2025.

The scheme is being led by Oxfordshire County Council to convert the existing roundabout into a signalised junction with traffic lights to "improve traffic flow and encourage more walking and cycling".

It will also establish separate passageways and crossings for pedestrians and cyclists at the western and southern arms and create buffer zones between the cycle track and the roadway along three junction arms.

The project is funded entirely by the central government, with £5.5 million provided by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and a further £5.2 million secured from the Growth Deal.

Longer journey times are anticipated while works are in progress, with the council advising residents and visitors to prepare their commute accordingly.

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson said: “The Banbury Road in Bicester is scheduled to close from the end of July 2024 as part of the third phase of the roundabout improvement work.

"We have applied to close the road if needed from an earlier date in the month to allow us to start work earlier if possible. We will update residents, businesses and the travelling public – and install signage on location – when our plans are confirmed for phase three.

"Phase two of the improvement work started this week, with earthworks and drainage work.

"The Fringford Road footway and pavement will open for pedestrians and cyclists at the end of May, after work on the footpath and carriageway on Southwold Lane is completed.

"This is to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe as there will be no safe way for them to cross during the work.

"Before the Fringford Road footpath opens, pedestrians can still use the bridleway and the existing diversion of Skimmingdish Lane and Buckingham Road. 

"When the Fringford Road footway and pavement is opened, the bridleway will be closed."