Traffic flowed freely into the city from west Oxford this morning but drivers can expect delays from later today when temporary traffic lights are set up, and the work will last all week until Friday.
Contractors arrived with diggers and other large vehicles today and parked them either side of Botley Road close to Waitrose.
READ MORE: Third set of roadworks planned
One worker said: “Work should start at 8am every morning.”
(Image: Andy Ffrench) A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council said last week: “Carriageway resurfacing work is being carried out in two phases.
Due to temporary traffic lights on Botley Road, we are expecting delays on our services in the area, passengers are advised to allow more time for their journeys. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
— Oxford Bus Company (@OxfordBusCo) September 16, 2024
“The work will take place September 13-14, outside Waitrose. This is taking place at night (8pm-6am) to minimise disruption to shoppers.
“Temporary traffic lights will be in place. They will be manually controlled and traffic flows monitored.”
READ MORE: Rail minister apologises for Botley Road closure
It is understood that highways bosses have chosen to schedule the resurfacing work while the rail bridge is shut, as less traffic is using the Botley Road at the moment, compared to when the route is fully open.
Rail bosses had hoped to reopen Botley Road in October, but in July they announced that the project has overrun and so the road will not be able to reopen in October.
During the past fortnight drivers have faced queues on Botley Road due to Thames Water work close to Osney Bridge.
Hold-ups could now get worse as the resurfacing work gets under way.
Oxford Bus Company warned motorists it was expecting delays to its services due to the temporary traffic lights in Botley Road on Monday morning.
The bus operator apologised for any inconvenience that could be caused as a result of the works.
Resurfacing work had been finished by lunchtime on Monday but signs still appeared on the route.