City traders claim they have been hit by “a perfect storm of disruption” as overlapping construction works continue at both ends of Botley Road.
In the eyes of some business owners, the traffic misery caused by closing Botley Road at the rail bridge has been compounded by the start of roadworks at Botley Interchange on the edge of Oxford.
“We are like an island, cut off from the rest of the city,” said Zack Khan, owner of First Stop Spanner Works tyre shop off Botley Road.
READ MORE: Oxford Botley Road traders fearful as Network Rail backtrack
“We are haemorrhaging at both ends. It’s the perfect storm of disruption.
“Deliveries are super hard, and for customers it’s a nightmare getting to us.
“It’s hard to weather the storm when the city council wants business rates, and the landlords want rent, and there doesn’t seem to be that much help from anyone.”
Since April, when Network Rail closed the eastern end of Botley Road for improvements of Oxford rail station, motorists have been forced to use the A34 to access Botley Road.
But those using that diversion now face further difficulty.
Last month, National Highways began roadworks at the Botley Interchange, the roundabout used by traffic coming off the A34 towards Botley Road.
At times, it has caused severe congestion, with some commuters stuck in jams of up to five hours.
Matthew Alden, managing director of Aldens Butchers in Osney Mead, said the traffic caused by the Botley Interchange work was affecting footfall.
READ MORE: London cyclist died after falling from his bike in Henley
“They are the thing putting people off coming here,” he said. “I’m lucky that I can cycle to work, but it’s terrible for people coming from Bicester, Swindon, Abingdon, or even Headington.
“You’re going from an A-road to a single lane slip road and the volume of traffic is just so high. It takes staff and customers a long time to get out and deliveries have sometimes been delayed by an hour.”
Graham Jones of traders’ group ROX added: “Businesses on Botley Road are going to be affected so badly over Christmas.”
He said he and his wife recently tried to visit Botley Road on a Saturday but were stuck in traffic at the interchange and ended up shopping in Cowley instead.
“They need to get it sorted out at least six weeks before… that’s how long people phase their shopping before Christmas,” he said.
“The danger is that everyone will start moving to online shopping.”
A spokesperson for National Highways, which will continue work at Botley Interchange until March, apologised for the congestion and said it was taking “additional measures to minimise disruption.”
Network Rail has urged impacted business owners get in touch.
The Botley Road works will last until October 2024.
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