BUSINESSES in Oxford have suffered disruption due to a number of road closures in the city.

Ferry Hinksey Road, which lies close to the River Thames, has been under water since Monday, causing a severe impact on businesses in the Osney Mead Industrial Estate, with one worker describing it as a “disaster”.

A second water pump was brought into the area yesterday to clear flood water from Osney Mead.

Chris Materna, from Mac Simple, a company which repairs Apple computers, said: “We have had very few customers and so it’s been very quiet. It’s been a disaster.”

Maureen Keenan, owner of Oxbridge bakeries, was forced to evacuate the premises. She said: “It’s been very disruptive.

“The county council need to put up higher flood defences as it’s causing a real problem for businesses.”

Ginette Gower, from Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The main problem has been with employees getting to work.

“That can then affect the supply chain because of deliveries not being able to get through.”

Commuters also faced an ordeal getting home last night, with major delays experienced on Botley Road.

One motorist told the Oxford Mail it had taken two hours to get from the train station to McDonald’s.

Floodwater near the restaurant was partly responsible but the road remained open to traffic.