THE BP garage in Headington has run out of petrol as 'impossible' roadworks prevent delivery lorries getting in.

Three lorries have so far tried and failed to get onto the forecourt on Cherwell Drive, leaving the manager turning ‘loyal’ customers away and in the direction of competition.

Pizza Hut has also warned that it is struggling to deliver - to the customers who don’t mind waiting at least an hour in the traffic also caused by the same roadworks.

Diggers, workmen and red cones have arrived along the stretch of Cherwell Drive during the latest phase of the Access to Headington scheme; a revamp to the road system in the Headington area expected to last until March next year, according to Oxfordshire County Council.

Managers at other shops on the parade have also hit out, saying they’re ‘upset and struggling’.

Dishanka Fernando, who is the leaseholder at the BP petrol station, said: “I’ve been out of fuel since Friday.

“We have to tell people to go to the Shell Garage, we’re directing people away.

“It’s not good for business. I’ve lost so many sales, for a small business - it’s very big damage.

“I’m losing loyal customers and people are complaining. I’m upset.

“The county council said the roadworks would happen outside, but not on the entrance. I didn’t expect it.”

He explained that three different tanker drivers have attempted to squeeze the lorries through the tight gap, to get to the place they need to pump fuel in.

All three have refused after saying it was unsafe, according to Mr Fernando, leaving him to contact BP which sent out managers who agreed the manoeuvres were ‘impossible’ past the roadworks near the entrance.

The Access to Headington project restarted in May and is expected to continue through until next March, however roadworks outside the BP garage ‘should be finished in a couple of weeks’, the council said.

Temporary traffic lights were also installed near Marsh Lane, which is opposite the petrol station, to move traffic islands and work on the roundabout.

Mr Fernando said these had also been problematic for drivers trying to leave the petrol station.

A spokesperson at Oxfordshire County Council said: “The traffic management in place is only what is sufficient to undertake the work safely and is planned to cause as little disruption as possible.”

Vicki Gough, branch manager at wine shop Threshers said she is concerned for the future of the business, and others along the stretch.

She said: “I keep being told that the roadworks will be beneficial in the long run which is fine but once its complete, there may possible be no businesses here to serve the community and have the advantage of the so-called benefit.

“It’s a ghost town. I don’t blame anyone for not wanting to come in. I’m really worried about the shops here. It’s chaos.

“We’re all struggling and it’s getting worse and worse and worse.

Gabriel Ciobanu, the manager at Pizza Hut also said business was tough.

He explained: “The roads are blocked and the lorry drivers with deliveries have said its so difficult to get here.

“They can’t do it. The BP Garage is a fuel garage, without any fuel. And we’re really struggling.

“Normally we say the pizza will take 30 minutes, now – its take at least an hour. People are saying ‘no thanks’ and finding somewhere easier’.

“I want to deliver to people, but I really don’t want to deliver as well (because of the traffic).”

A spokesperson at Oxfordshire County Council said: “Our contractor calls in on businesses to inform them about works that could affect them and also deliver letters to affected properties.

“In this case we had visited the petrol station in advance of work starting and explained what would be happening and how they could get assistance if deliveries were needed.

“Local businesses have all been given numbers to call in the event that access is not available and have been advised they can approach any of the workforce who can pass on issues to the supervisors there.

“The current works in front of the garage should be finished in a couple of weeks, and the whole Cherwell Drive/Headley Way will be complete in March.

“Access to Headington is a project identified Oxford’s Transport Strategy (OTS) and was funded by central government grant and local S106 funds. These improvement projects are developed in line with available funding from central government as opposed to maintenance schemes which are identified on a needs basis.”