COUNTY council bosses are pledging to reduce congestion in the run-up to Christmas by banning any unnecessary roadworks across Oxfordshire.

On Monday the contraflow on the A423 at Kennington will be removed as the latest phase of work is completed on an £8m scheme to upgrade the Kennington and Hinksey Hill interchanges.

Following some road closures overnight, work is due to finish this month.

County council leader Ian Hudspeth said roadworks on strategic routes into city and town centres would be suspended where possible until the New Year, with no non-emergency work being allowed.

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The exceptions are work in Worcester Street, Oxford, which will continue until December 15, and in London Road, Headington, which will run throughout December, following problems with underground utility services.

Mr Hudspeth said: “For a number of years the council has worked closely with utility companies and our own workforce to ensure that non-essential jobs are not done on Oxfordshire’s strategic roads and town centres for almost a month over Christmas.

“This is done so that the busiest time of year for retailers and members of the public is a success.”

Parking will be free at all city and county council-run park-and-ride sites on Saturday to boost trade on Small Business Saturday, which supports independent shops.

Cherwell District Council is also making parking free at its car parks on Saturday and parking is free all year round in West Oxfordshire.

Parking in the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district council areas will be free on selected days in the run-up to Christmas.

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