'SUFFERING' businesses have compared an Oxford estate to Alcatraz after emergency roadworks which have exposed 'how much of an island it really is'.

Shops in Risinghurst say their takings have been hit by as much of 80 per cent during the three–week closure of Green Road, which has cut off access to the estate from one side.

The Thames Water works, which have been ongoing since early June, have closed one of just two entrances to the area of the city.

And with the only other entrance to Risinghurst closed off six years ago on the A40, drivers have been sent by the county council on a six-mile diversion to the village of Wheatley just to turn around and enter the estate.

Councillor Roz Smith said: “The green road closure has exposed how much of an island Risinghurst really is.”

And the owner of Headington Bathrooms on the Roundway, Neil Bolton, said: "Risinghurst is what we’ve been calling Alcatraz. You can’t get in or out.”

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Pic - D Ramey Logan

Risinghurst councillor Glynis Philips last week began her campaign to reopen a gap in the A40 central reservation, after it was closed six years ago over safety fears.

She wanted temporary traffic lights to be put in to the other access point throughout the emergency works, to allow a safe flow of traffic turning right into Risinghurst.

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She said: “The last communication we had was that they wouldn’t reopen it, not even temporarily, and I’m still waiting for a reason why.”

It means there are still only two roads that take traffic in and out of the residential area, listed as home to more than 4,000 people in the 2011 census.

But despite Thames Water plans to reopen Green Road at the end of this week - earlier than expected - Mr Bolton said that the six-mile diversion has made a big dent on sales for businesses who are also based on the Roundway, including McDonald's and charity Four Paws Cat Rescue.

Oxford Mail:

He said: “The charity shop is down 80 per cent on sales.

“Our livelihoods are at stake. We’re all struggling big big time."

He added: “This is a business I’ve built up for 30 years, we’re not complaining about the emergency work, it is just because of the lack of signs.

“Locals know they can turn into Thornhill Park-and-Ride, but other people are calling up saying ‘how do we get to you?’”

“Our businesses are suffering and we are the little people.”

Oxfordshire County Council did not respond to a request for comment.