Water works delays mean North Hinksey Primary School will be blocked off to cars as youngsters start the new term on Monday.

Thames Water had hoped the Easter holidays would be long enough to complete works to expand the sewer outside the school.

But the road is to be shut for a further day after crews found a gas pipe covered in concrete over the sewer.

North Hinksey Lane has been gradually closed off in rolling road works which began on March 1. And there was no vehicle access to North Hinksey Village for most of last month.

The work is part of Thames Water’s £7m sewer expansion works.

Last night Thames Water spokesman Simon Evans said: “Clearly we need to take great care not to break the gas main or its concrete casing. This issue has set the project back by a day, meaning we will have the road reopened to traffic on Tuesday instead of Monday.

“We are sorry to people affected by this delay, and thanks to everyone for bearing with us.”

Short-stay parking for parents dropping their children off will be available near the junction of North Hinksey Lane and North Hinksey Village.

Access to the school will be available from the northern end of the road but it will not be possible to drive past the school on to the A34.

Work on the whole road is expected to be completed by the end of April.

It is part of a wider project in the area due to be finished later this year.