Bicester: Work set to start on £10m roundabout redesign

The county council is converting the existing roundabout into a junction with traffic lights to improve traffic flow and encourage more walking and cycling.

Work will take place in phases to remove the existing roundabout island and build the improved junction.

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Construction work is set to start on February 7 and finish on February 18, 2025.

Residents living in the town have now been sent letters warning them that work is about to start.

Bill Cotton, the council's director for environment and place, said in the letter: "We will try to keep delays to a minimum.

"For some journeys you may prefer walking, cycling, using public transport or changing your journey during this time."

The letter adds that from February 7 to April 11 Fringford Road will be closed and traffic diverted via the B4100 using three-way traffic lights and narrow lanes.

Then from April 15 to May 21 work will take place to remove the existing roundabout and a route will be available around it via narrow lanes and temporary traffic lights.

The county council website says: "Bicester is one of the fastest-growing towns in Oxfordshire and the Banbury Road roundabout is a key junction along the Bicester ring road which was identified as a site for improvement in our Local Transport Plan.

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"The junction must be able to safely handle the number of vehicles travelling in the area, when new homes and jobs come to the town, and provide improved facilities that encourage more people to walk and cycle."

Residents said on Facebook they were concerned about delays once work starts.

Lara Foord said: "Anyone’s else’s heart sink at the roadwork signs that have gone up at Banbury Road roundabout? ‘Roadworks start here 7th February for 54 weeks’.

"Not to mention Fringford Road to Caversfield shut until April, I’m all for improvement but why is this necessary? I drive around there every day in rush hour and it flows fine."

County councillor Donna Ford, who represents Bicester North, said: "As someone who has fought against this change at every opportunity and stood by the choices made by residents at the consultation stage I am as frustrated as everyone.

"I am working as hard as I can to make sure we get all the information on the closures and disruption is minimised as much as possible. I have expressed that communication is key.

"Officers have agreed to another engagement event once works starts. 

"I have requested that maybe the cabinet member who made the decision may like to attend to explain why residents and myself as the local member were ignored."

Dave Radwell said he was concerned about the impact of the scheme on the road network.

He added: "How can they even contemplate any closure of the A4095, it’s a major route.

"Any closure can only be in the early hours, everyone rerouting past Langford village through the appalling Rodney house roundabout is not feasible."

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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