A VAST mound of earth which had been built up on Cutteslowe roundabout began to be removed yesterday as work continued on the site.

Work to upgrade Cutteslowe roundabout and Wolvercote roundabout on the A40 started on July 21.

Since then diggers at Cutteslowe have been removing large amounts of earth, which was formed into a mound in the centre of the roundabout.

Yesterday Oxfordshire County Council said workers were clearing the material.

The county council also said workers at the Wolvercote site had begun work to break up concrete on Sunderland Avenue.

Work is expected to take up to 16 months to complete and is designed to increase capacity at both roundabouts.

The work, which will cost more than £10 million, has led to delays on the A40.

Traffic lights will be introduced at both roundabouts and new pedestrian and cycle crossings and cycle lanes will be constructed.

The A40 and A44 approaches to both roundabouts are to be widened and there will also be resurfacing, street lighting and drainage improvements.