THE full extent of road closures has been revealed ahead of next month's Oxford Half Marathon.

The entire length of 25 roads - in the city centre and North Oxford - will be closed from 8am with many more streets partially closed and changed to one-way systems.

Residents in the area had feared they would be 'imprisoned' in their homes and set up a petition to stop the race going ahead.

Organisers Virgin Sport promised to minimise 'unavoidable' disruption and their traffic management plan revealed marshals would be managing access for residents and deliveries.

The plan also revealed the length of 25 roads, including Broad Street, Marston Ferry Road, Cherwell Drive and side streets such as Norham Gardens, Belbroughton Road and Bardwell Road would be closed.

Al Strang, speaking on behalf of Virgin Sport, said: "There is a level of unavoidable disruption to normal traffic routes during the closure period.

"However, advertised access arrangements are put in place to reduce the impact where possible and in most places vehicle movement is restricted by less than 3 hours.

"Pedestrian access is never restricted, nor is emergency vehicle access."

North Oxford side streets off Banbury Road will be closed until 1.30pm with roads closer to the start area in Broad Street to remain closed until 2.30pm.

Banbury Road will be closed from St Giles to Marston Ferry Road and beyond to the A40 roundabout.

One-way systems will be implemented in South Parade, Oakthorpe Road and Thorncliffe Road until 12pm.

City councillor for the area, Liz Wade, said: "We have been fighting on behalf of local residents to stop or at least to modify the current Half Marathon.

She said: "Residents in some side roads are kettled in for up to five hours and many others have to make special arrangements because of the closure of so many roads."