Work is due to start next week on a long-awaited perimeter road aimed at reducing congestion at a Bicester trouble-spot.

Work will start on Wednesday to build a roundabout to link the new perimeter road from the A41 to Howes Lane.

The link road, aimed at relieving traffic congestion in south-west Bicester caused by shoppers heading to Bicester Village, should be complete by 2013.

Trees have been cleared at the central reservation of the A41 ahead of the work. A 40mph speed limit was put in place on Tuesday and will be in effect for the next 18 months.

Initially, the northbound carriageway will be reduced to one lane only. This phase of construction is expected to take five months.

Traffic lights will also be installed at the A41 junction, near the Esso garage, to make it easier for traffic from the Kingsmere estate to get to shops on the other side of the A41.

Countryside Properties, the Kingsmere developer, has permission for 1,585 homes, an old people’s home, shops, a pub and restaurant, two primary schools and one secondary school. A hotel, children’s day nursery, community centre, sports pavilion and link road are also in the plans.