Drivers to face more delays (From Witney Gazette)

Drivers to face more delays

9:00am Wednesday 28th June 2006

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DRIVERS can expect yet more delays on Oxfordshire roads as the county council launches its latest series of roadworks.

Five stretches of the A44 are set to be resurfaced in July, meaning lane closures, 10mph speed limits, and temporary traffic lights.

"There are always going to be people complaining about it, but when it's all done, it will be great, and won't be touched again for another 20 years."

Gordon Kelman, of Oxfordshire County Council's highways department

The work is expected to cost more than £300,000 and affects Begbroke, Bladon, Yarnton, and Woodstock.

Most of the projects are scheduled to take place in the evening, but some work during the day could cause disruption.

One lane of the A44 from the Cassington Road roundabout, in Yarnton, to the Rutten Lane roundabout, will be closed from 9.30am to 3.30pm from July 4 to 7. A convoy system will be put in place, and a 10mph speed limit imposed. The roundabout itself will be closed from 6.30pm to 11pm from July 3 to 5.

The southbound lane of the A44 from Cadogan Park to Churchill Gate, Woodstock, will also be closed between 9.30am and 3.30pm from July 26 to 28, with traffic lights in place at either end.

Between July 17 to 23, the dual carriageway between Bladon roundabout and Langford Lane will be shut between 6.30pm and 11pm. The roundabout will remain open, but will be controlled by four-way traffic lights. The Begbroke roundabout will be shut from 6.30pm to 11pm from July 10 to 14.

Gordon Kelman, of Oxfordshire County Council's highways department, said there was no 'right time' to carry out work on the A44. But he added: "At the end of the day, roads have to be maintained, and I think we have found the best solution to do it. There are always going to be people complaining about it, but when it's all done, it will be great, and won't be touched again for another 20 years."

The news will come as another blow to motorists, who have faced massive delays already this year due to roadworks around the A40 and A34, most recently at Oxford's Green Road roundabout.

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