THE fourth phase of roadworks on The Plain roundabout in St Clement's started this morning.

There was heavy traffic in the area but no major disruption.

The closure of a section of Cowley Road leading to The Plain finished at the weekend and Iffley Road was then closed at the junction of the roundabout.

It is expected the closure will last until Sunday, March 22 and during that time vehicles leaving the city will be diverted up Cowley Road and back on to Iffley Road via Circus Street.

Cyclists out of the city will be diverted along Cowley Road and Temple Street.

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The £1.3m roadworks scheme will see lanes widened and the entrances and exists to the roundabout tightened in an attempt to slow traffic and make it safer for cyclists.

During the work on Iffley Road, pavements will be widened and existing pedestrian islands will be rebuilt.

A number of bus services have been changed due to the start of phase four.

Stagecoach Oxfordshire said its 3, N3 and 12C services would not serve the southeast-bound bus stop at the roundabout.

And buses out of Oxford will operate via Cowley Road, Circus Street and Iffley Road, the firm added.

Other services set to be affected include the 1, 3, 8, 9, 10, 12, 12C, N1, N3, N8, N10, S5, S7 and Oxford Tube.

The final stage of work on The Plain is due to begin on March 23 and roads authority Oxfordshire County Council said it hoped construction would be complete by Friday, April 17.