TRAFFIC blocked the A40 and A44 yesterday after preparatory work started on the Wolvercote and Cutteslowe roundabouts.

Commuters faced delays of up to two hours until the early afternoon. People had been warned that work would begin next Tuesday but Vodafone arrived on the site to move equipment and services ahead of the major project, which will run for about 16 months.

Gary Hicks, 48, said: “I arrived at the Golden Balls roundabout at Yarnton at 7.25am, got to Loop Farm roundabout at 8.17 and was diverted via Kidlington and Islip. The total distance from Hook Norton to my work in Cowley is 25 miles and it took just under two hours.

“It’s unacceptable that part of the ring road should be reduced to one lane during rush hour for planned works, with no notice given. If I’d have known in advance they were going to start the work early I wouldn’t have come via the ring road.”

Oxford Bus Company spokesman Phil Ashworth confirmed that several services were delayed, but could not be sure by how long.

He added: “Work is causing delays to the Number 300 bus, Number 6 and Number 1. It seems that a lane has been taken out between Cutteslowe and Wolvercote.”

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Paul Smith said: “This is work by Vodafone to move equipment ahead of work next week. We have now spoken to Vodafone regarding their traffic management arrangements.”