DRIVERS faced severe delays in and out of the city centre last night as temporary traffic lights were installed on Botley Road.

The lights have been put in place at the junction of Lamarsh Road and Bullstakes Close as part of drainage work for a new flood defence scheme.

The roadworks closed one lane eastbound, creating a bottleneck for drivers heading in and out of the city and bringing rush-hour traffic to a near standstill.

Westbound traffic out of the city was backed up to the Westgate Centre.

Oxford Bus Company reported its services heading to the station were delayed for up to 45 minutes and it was forced to abandon pick ups and drop offs.

The county council’s website said the roadworks would be in place until midnight on Friday, August 14.

Meanwhile traffic was backed up on Cutteslowe and Wolvercote roundabouts because of road improvements expected to last 16 months.