EVERYTHING possible is being done to keep traffic flowing across the county, the county council’s transport representative has said.

Commuters this week faced gridlock on major routes in and around Oxford due to a clash of major roadwork schemes.

A £2.1m scheme to resurface London Road, Headington, started on Monday and work to transform the Kennington roundabout into a ‘hamburger’ design is not due to finish until the end of November.

County councillor David Nimmo Smith said highways officers were now examining the road network to see what adjustments could be made.

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So far changes have included postponing a £1m scheme at The Plain roundabout in East Oxford to bring in cycle lanes, due to start on Monday, and trialling changes to bus queue priorities at Water Eaton park-and-ride.

Other moves have involved:

  • Altering traffic light timings as far away as Iffley Road to improve traffic flows in the Kennington roundabout contraflow.
  • Altering signals at Water Eaton Park-and-Ride to minimise queueing in Kidlington and to help buses reach bus lanes more quickly.
  • Creating more space at the approach to Headington roundabout on the A40 from the east, to accommodate more traffic.

Mr Nimmo Smith said: “We know the roads capacity has been reduced and drivers are frustrated but we are doing everything we can. It was the most difficult week for commuters since the flooding at the beginning of the year.

“I have had emails from people calling me arrogant, and accusing me of not knowing what is going on, but I am aware of the delays because I have been caught up in them myself.

“I have been adjusting my journey times to get into County Hall from Henley and it has been taking me about 90 minutes when normally it would take an hour.

“Major work on Frideswide Square will not start until after Christmas.”

Mr Nimmo Smith ruled out demands for county council contractors to work longer hours at Kennington roundabout, including at night.

He said: “This is not possible because people living in Kennington are worried about noise, and the concrete suppliers don’t operate 24 hours.

“The capacity of the roads network will be improved but in the short term we have to do the work. Highways staff are being asked to continue to look at better ways of doing things.”

London commute beats Wheatley-to-Oxford drive.

Cheryl Bresnark and her husband Robin live in Wheatley. She travels to work in George Street, Oxford, every day and he travels to Farringdon Road, London. In the last week her journey has taken about the same length of time as his, despite only being 5.6 miles compared to his 52 miles.

Oxford Mail:

CHERYL’S JOURNEY: 8.05am – I’m on the road from nursery after dropping my son off, but the streets of Wheatley are much busier than normal.

Holloway Road isn’t moving and traffic is backed up in every direction. The roundabout to the A40 slip road is jammed full of cars, causing a delay in the turn.

There is a breakdown at the entrance to Thornhill Park-and-Ride, so that jammed up turning traffic.

8.47am – I park and get on a waiting bus. We are on our way.

9.10am – We finally make it past Headington Roundabout.

9.44am – I arrive in my office.

Total journey time: 1 hour 44 minutes. Distance travelled: 5.6 miles.

It has taken two hours for the past two days. I am happy with the 15-20 minute improvement.

This is a journey which normally takes 40 minutes, or 25 minutes if the roads are quiet.

Oxford Mail:

ROBIN’S JOURNEY.

5.53am – I leave the house.

6am – I get on the bus from Thornhill to London.

7.21am – The traffic is fairly clear and I arrive at Baker Street.

7.38am – I arrive at Farringdon Station.

7.50am – I’m at my desk working.

Total journey time: 1 hour 57 minutes.

Distance travelled: 52 miles.

The traffic also negatively impacts on my journey home and adds about an extra 30 minutes to the final four miles of my journey.

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