REPAIRS to a burst water main in Oxford's Botley Road have been completed and workmen are now fixing and resurfacing the road before it can be reopened.

The five-inch main burst last night, meaning the road is currently closed between Binsey Lane and Ferry Hinksey Road.

Thames Water spokesman Stuart White said: “We worked all through the night to get the repair fixed by 7am.

“We now expect to get one lane back open by 12.30pm and the second lane open by 4.30pm.

“The leak to a five-inch main was on one side of the Botley Road, but it cracked in the middle.

“This is why we had to close the whole road.

“We appreciate this is a very busy road into Oxford, especially being so close to Christmas, and apologise for the disruption caused.”

The Seacourt Park and Ride will remain open during the work and bus services will be diverted via the Abingdon Road and A34.

Services affected included the number 4, U1 Brookes Bus and the 400 Park and Ride service.

Oxford Bus Company spokesman Phil Ashworth said: “There will be significant delays but we will do what we can to minimise them as much as possible.”

No homes or properties were flooded when the pipe burst and water was temporarily disrupted to up to 83 homes before it was rerouted through another pipe.

The cause of the damage is being investigated but Thames Water said it could relate to the recent cold snap.

Mr White said: “It’s one of those things which can happen and it has happened and we are doing all we can to fix it.

“We have had as many people as we can working to get this repaired and fixed.”