DRIVERS have further criticised new traffic lights at Wolvercote roundabout which has “made congestion worse”.

Oxford Mail readers responded to our story that the lights – installed as part of the £9m 15-month-long project –had made some commuters’ journeys even longer.

Oxfordshire County Council defended the lights saying that they would eventually work “in tandem” with those at Cutteslowe roundabout which were yet to be finished and would make the junction safer and more convenient for all users.

David Green commented: “Absolute lunacy - The Teletubbies could have done a better job. Congratulations OCC for achieving something that I, for one, thought impossible, making the congestion in the area worse.”

Paul Cox took to social media to vent his frustration at the new lights. He said: “The traffic light sequence is ridiculous.

“I have just gone through it, and I could have gone through it in half the time or less if the lights weren’t there.”

A commenter going by the name of GRB said: “Congestion actually eased during the roadworks but is now back to what it was like before them, now the lights have been switched on.

“I thought it may not improve until the Cutteslowe roundabout was complete and I’m willing to wait and give it a chance but I’m not holding my breath”

The 15-month scheme has caused lengthy delays and has been criticised by drivers who claimed there were large periods of inactivity on the site.

The testing of traffic signals at both roundabouts and new traffic islands in Sunderland Avenue is all that remains with completion set for mid-October.