As a summer of roadworks in Oxford's Abingdon Road comes to an end, residents are hoping for the brakes to be put on further disruption.

But although the latest phase of repairs finishes today (October 1) ahead of schedule, Abingdon Road and Thames Street will be closed for five nights from Monday (October 4).

The work, between Western Road and Thames Street junctions, needs to be carried out at night because Folly Bridge is too narrow for traffic to pass.

The road will remain open throughout the day.

Resident Zoe Pappas said she was losing patience with the county council's resurfacing scheme, which is part of a long-term programme.

Mrs Pappas, who has lived in Abingdon Road for 15 years, questioned why the work could not be carried out during evenings and weekends.

She said: "I can't bear it any more. In the morning it makes our lives very difficult.

"I understand the roadworks must be done but it doesn't need to take such a long time and with better organisation and people working faster, life would be much easier."

Gillian Keen, owner of Homelea Guesthouse, in Abingdon Road, said her business had been affected.

She said: "It puts people off coming up the road. It's a pain but you have to grin and bear it."

Dharamaraj Prasad, sub postmaster at Grandpont Post Office, in Abingdon Road, urged the council to avoid disruption.

He added: "They should advertise this very widely around the bypass so people who come into the city are aware of it."

Mr Prasad praised the council for keeping traders informed of work schedules, but said he had lost trade because of traffic jams. He said: "We just have to cope with it. The council is doing a good job."

The next phase of work, south of Vicarage Road, will begin in the spring. Although the county council aims to finish the work by the end of next year, drivers have been warned the work could take longer.

David Robertson, the county council's executive member for roads and transport, said night repairs were carried out whenever possible.

But he said: "This is an ongoing annual event. We get criticised if we don't do anything and we get criticised when we do. It is a no-win situation.

He added: "We have worked hard to communicate with traders and residents, and minimise the disruption as much as possible.

"They know as well as we do that the road badly needs this work and they will be as happy as us next year when Abingdon Road is complete."

Thames Street will be closed at night between the junction of Shirelake Close and Abingdon Road from Monday until Friday

Abingdon Road will be closed at night between the junction of Western Road and Thames Street from Wednesday to Friday

Closures will be between 8pm and 5.30am. Traders and residents will be allowed access at all times

Signs will divert traffic via Weirs Lane, Iffley Road, High Street, St Aldate's and Speedwell Street

The use of pneumatic tools will be restricted to 8pm-11pm