Space has been found for a second lane to be opened on the A44 after almost two weeks of traffic chaos in North Oxford.

The road had been reduced to one lane between Peartree and Wolvercote roundabouts earlier this month to create enough space for work on the central reservation to be carried out safely. 

After further investigation Oxfordshire County Council discovered it could open two lanes of a reduced width of 3m.

The second lane will open at the end of this week and remain in place until mid-July when the two full-width lanes will re-open. 

The closures, which started on April 19, caused lengthy delays and motorists were even urged to take public transport as vehicle ground to a halt.

Work on the additional lane will mean the A44 southbound will be closed from 8pm on Friday April 29 to 6am the following day.

The county council's deputy director Mark Kemp said: "We have always said that we keep the roadworks under review, and if progress allows and it is safe to do so we will make changes.

"This change shows that we constantly look for solutions that will help ease people's journeys."

The bus lane will remain open and cyclists will still be able to used the shared foot and cycleway on the BP side of the A44.