COMMUTERS saw an improvement to the traffic misery of earlier in the week as drivers ditched their cars in favour of public transport this morning.

Oxford Bus Company revealed a five per cent spike in passengers using its services yesterday morning compared with the same time last week.

It came after Oxfordshire County Council urged motorists to leave their cars at home after thousands queued across the city on Wednesday due to improvement works to Folly Bridge.

The month-long works to repair the historic Folly Bridge include lane closures and temporary traffic lights caused major queues in and around the city on Wednesday.

Reports also showed continued delays during rush hour this morning with congestion along the A34 as far as Wendlebury and other key routes into the city appeared to be bearing the brunt.

But Abingdon Road was quieter and commuters reported buses being packed on the way into the city during rush hour.

Oxford Bus Company’s managing director, Phil Southall, said: “It is likely as a result of people seeking alternative routes into the city following the partial Folly Bridge closure

“It demonstrates clearly how the bus network is a key part of the solution to the growing issue of congestion in our city.”

Mr Southall added as a temporary emergency measure this week some services had been re-routed to help alleviate the ‘appalling’ traffic conditions seen on Wednesday.

Temporary bus stops have been installed in Queen Street for both the number 4 and 400 services as they can’t go down St Aldate’s as normal.

The Oxford Parkway car park was full by lunchtime, an occurrence which has only happened on a handful of occasions since it opened in October 2015.

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