MONTHS of gas work misery will soon return to a busy Oxford road after the project was 'abandoned'.

SGN engineers will be back on Cowley Road next week, with temporary traffic lights expected to cause 'significant' disruption until the end of March at least.

The works are the final phase of a lengthy project that started in January 2018, at the top of the road towards Cowley, to replace the metal gas main with a plastic one.

Residents have received a letter from SGN, seen by the Oxford Mail, which states: "Due to challenging ground conditions with water entering the gas network, our engineers had to temporarily abandon the project.

"Work has been carried out to address the issues with water ingress to allow us to complete the final phases of work."

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They will resume on Monday, January 6, with three weeks of works between the junctions of Saunders Road and Shelley Road.

Engineers will work in sections, moving along a stretch of Cowley Road between Marsh Road and Kenilworth Avenue.

Phil Southall, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said his team was advised 'at fairly short notice' of three-way temporary lights at the junction with Saunders Road.

He said: "We understand there is also an application for two-way temporary traffic lights elsewhere on the Cowley Road.

"No bus stops are expected to be suspended as a result, but we are unfortunately expecting significant delays in the area.

"We understand roadworks need to take place and have appealed for improved engagement and planning from key stakeholders, to avoid the issues that previously occurred during similar works in the area.

"It is vital all stakeholders work together to ensure Oxford keeps moving."

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SGN's letter advises that when the works are finished, gas customers on Cowley Road might have to have their supply interrupted while the connection to the new main is made.

It adds: "We appreciate that the nature of our work can cause disruption for local road users and community.

"Please can we reassure you that our engineers will be working as quickly and safely as possible to ensure they complete this project without delay."

A schedule included in the letter puts the target end date at Monday, March 23, but the One Network roadwork website puts it at Tuesday, April 21.

Engineers will be working between 7am and 7pm, from Monday to Saturday.

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman said: "We have been consulted and have insisted that any temporary traffic lights must be manually controlled from 7am to 7pm including weekends so that delays can be minimised.

"Where temporary lights span a junction, we have asked SGN to close that junction if there is another exit for the residents, as this reduces the amount of lights required meaning less impact on the main road.

"We expect that SGN's work will have an impact on traffic, especially in the first few days.

"As the work is essential we hope that people using Cowley Road will be patient while SGN carry out their work and plan their journeys to take account of any potential delays."

It is not the only major project SGN will commence in Oxford on Monday.

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In Marston, it will also start work to replace the gas main, expected to last until March 22.

Residents have also been sent a letter, warning of disruption in Oxford Road, Boults Road and Barns Hay.

Writing on Twitter before Christmas, city councillor for Marston Mary Clarkson said SGN had not sent her the letter.

She said: "I’ve been in contact with Oxfordshire County Council as various residents have contacted me.

"Very poor communication and local businesses understandably concerned about impact on them."

Stagecoach told bus passengers that it expects roadworks in Marston until Saturday, April 20.

A warning on its website states: "During these works, our 14A service will be unable to serve all stops in Marston village and will only serve stops on the 14 route via Cherwell Drive."

SCHEDULE OF WORKS ON COWLEY ROAD (subject to change) according to letter to residents:

- January 6, for three weeks: Saunders Road to Shelley Road. Multi-way temporary lights

- January 13, for four weeks: Shelley Road to Glanville Road. No access between Shelley Road and Cowley Road, diversion via Cricket Road or Morris Crescent

- January 27, for four weeks: Glanville Road to Cumberland Road. No access between Glanville Road and Cowley Road, diversion via Barracks Lane

- February 10, for four weeks: Cumberland Road to Marsh Road. No access between Cumberland Road and Cowley Road, diversion via Barracks Lane

- February 24, for four weeks: Marsh Road to Oxford Road. Three-way temporary lights

- February 24, for four weeks: Oxford Road to Kenilworth Avenue. Three-way temporary lights

SGN stressed that the schedule above is a guideline only and that more accurate timings will be on signage in the affected area