LAST-minute changes to the new layout of Cutteslowe Roundabout have been proposed in the final stages of its 15-month overhaul.

Transport bosses claimed the "safety improvements" would not add to costs or set back a planned finish in mid-October.

They will see a traffic light-controlled lane added for cars turning left towards Headington and the number of lanes on approach to the roundabout reduced from four to three.

Oxfordshire County Council denied this would reduce planned capacity at the junction, which is being overhauled with Wolvercote Roundabout at a cost of £9m.

Cabinet member for transport David Nimmo Smith said the changes had been proposed after the authority had "looked again" at the designs.

He added: "The changes have no implications in terms of cost or the time it will take to complete the work but does bring a number of improvements on the previously proposed layout.

"The team really appreciates the patience of residents and road users during the work."

Wolvercote resident Graham Jones, of Rosamund Road, said: "It is a bit worrying that the council has not thought out this enough from the beginning, but if it is from what they have learned on the job and it makes things better then I suppose that can only be a good thing.

"It's going to be a tremendous relief when the roadworks are over because they have been a bit of a nightmare.

"I organised an event at the Trout Inn just a few days ago and all my guests coming from London were three-quarters of an hour late because of traffic from Headington approaching the roadworks."

The county council started work on the roundabouts in July 2015, putting in place traffic restrictions that have caused major delays to commuters.

The project involves redesigning both junctions to make them traffic light-controlled, with approaches widened and new pedestrian and cycle crossings added.

Its finish date was brought forward by a month earlier this year, from mid-November to mid-October.

This week the county council said members of the project team would hold an information event for residents who wanted to get an update on the project tomorrow.

Deputy leader Rodney Rose said: "We are trying to keep people as informed as possible about this work, which clearly many drivers will pass by on their way to work every day.

"This is a good opportunity to find out more about this project and I think it will be very useful."

The drop-in event will be held at the Jury’s Inn, Wolvercote, between 11am and 6pm.