DRIVERS using Oxford’s Botley Road face further delays today as Southern Electric staff fix an underground cable.

Contractors working for the firm brought in temporary traffic lights on Tuesday afternoon, close to the junction with Ferry Hinksey Road, causing long tailbacks.

Southern Electric spokesman Hannah Gleave said staff hoped to fix the cable fault by tonight.

She added: “Our aim is that the road will be clear by Friday morning and we want to apologise to drivers for the delays that have been caused.

“The 11,000 volt cable is right in the middle of the road so this disruption has been unavoidable – part of the cable does need to be replaced.”

“Our staff have been working late into the night to try to fix the fault.”

Problems started on Sunday, at around 6.15pm, when about 860 residents in the area suffered a power cut.

The failure affected homes in Osney and along Botley Road.

Most of the homes were reconnected by 7pm, but about 40 customers did not have power restored until 5am on Easter Monday. The roadworks have created a delay of about 30 minutes for drivers travelling into Oxford along Botley Road.

Drivers approaching Botley Road from Park End Street have also been delayed, together with staff working at firms on the Osney Mead industrial estate.

Ms Gleave added: “We have liaised with the county council to carry out the repairs.”