LONG delays faced by drivers on Oxford’s ring road yesterday could have been avoided had the county council’s advice been heeded by contractors working on the Westgate redevelopment, it has been claimed.

Motorists were stuck in congestion as temporary traffic lights in Thames Street were put in place, against the advice of the council, as part of work on the new Westgate Shopping Centre.

Drivers reported the lights at Kennington Roundabout had also gone out again, having failed on Monday, as well as those at Hinksey Hill, but this was denied.

County council spokesman Dominic Llewellyn-Jones said: “There were no issues with lights at either Kennington or Hinksey Hill.

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“Issues at these roundabouts were caused by congestion resulting from the temporary lights at Thames Street.

“These lights were installed by contractors working on the Westgate redevelopment, contrary to advice given by council officers.

“The lights have now been removed and any future lights will have to be approved by the council prior to their installation.”

Drivers on their way to work were hampered by the delays yesterday morning, which saw long queues along Abingdon Road between Redbridge Park-and-Ride and the city centre.

Oxford Bus Company had advised passengers heading into South Oxford they faced setbacks of about 30 to 40 minutes.

Developer Westgate Oxford Alliance said: “We understand that the ongoing construction work relating to Westgate will impact those travelling and living in the area and we are doing everything we can to minimise any disruption for the local community and appreciate their support as work gets under way.”

Demolition of the old multi-storey car park began last week and JCBs have now pulled down several parts of the structure.

It comes as the firm submitted updated plans for the overhaul of the shopping centre. The ‘reserved matters’ designs will be considered by Oxford City Council on Tuesday and follow the overall approval of the scheme by councillors in November.

Over the next two years, the £400m development will add 100 new shops, a five-screen cinema and 25 cafes and restaurants to the site.

It was announced on Monday that Laing O’Rourke will carry out most of the construction work on the shell and core of the new threestorey shopping centre, as well as its 1,000-space underground car park and 61 new homes.

Work is expected to begin in the spring and the 30-month contract will require up to 1,000 workers on the city centre site.

Developers have said the scheme should create 3,400 jobs and be finished by autumn 2017.