A34 Closure: Here's what you need to know

Highways England will completely close a section of the A34 northbound between Hinksey and Botley for two, possibly three, weekends - and one lane of the southbound carriageway.

We first wrote about the closures as they were announced yesterday

Here's all you need to know about how the closures will affect you.

What part of the A34 is affected?

The northbound section between the A423 Hinksey Hill junction and the A420 Botley Interchange will be shut for repair works to the Botley flyover.

The second lane of the A34 southbound carriageway will be closed to provide a safety zone for workers on the central reservation.

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Highways England also will be closing the A34 northbound carriageway between the A423 Hinksey Hill junction and the A420 Botley Interchange overnight (between 9pm and 6am) over five weekday nights to allow the bridge joints to be installed once the main repairs have taken place.

When will the road be closed?

The weekend closures are scheduled between 8pm on Friday, October 18, through to 5.30am on Monday, October 21, and 8pm on Friday, November 1, through to 5.30am on Monday, November 4.

Traffic tailbacks on the Oxford ring road.

There is also a closure scheduled between 8pm on Friday, November 8, through to 5.30am on Monday, November 11 just in case work is not complete.

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What work needs to be done?

According to Highways England, the flyover bridge, built in 1961, has been ‘suffering from extensive deterioration due to historical waterproofing failure leading to significant potholes forming on a regular basis.’

Work on the bridge will include concrete repairs, replacing the waterproofing material, resurfacing the carriageway over the bridge and replacing the joints on the bridge to make sure it is secure.

Will it be noisy?

Highways England has written to residents living in the area to warn them about noise.

In a document sent out ahead of works, the agency said specialist machinery including lorries, concrete breakers and road pavers will be used during evenings.

Traffic queuing on Botley Road. Picture: Ed Nix.

Highways England said: “We aim to mitigate noise generated from these works by using best practices including acoustic barriers and careful selection of machinery. Taking the location into consideration, we will also try to programme activities to minimise the use of heavy machinery during night time working.”

Where are the diverted traffic routes?

There will be diversions in place on the Oxford ring road for drivers going to North Hinksey.

Highways England said North Hinksey residents should follow the diversion, exiting at Botley interchange to travel south towards the A420, before joining Westminster Way via the B4044 Botley Road.

A map of the planned diversions. Picture: Highways England.

Access to South Hinksey will be maintained by the A34 southbound carriageway.

Anyone who would usually come off the flyover on to Botley Road is going to have to rethink their route while works take place.

The Oxford Ring Road will still be open to the south and east of the closure if drivers want to head north on the A40 or A44, or enter Oxford from the west.

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Councillor Emily Smith said: “Access to South Hinksey will be restricted. Please plan your journeys carefully - and avoid the A34 where possible (I suspect it will be chaos!)”

What do people think so far?

Motorists were not impressed by the announcement, but were resigned to traffic tailbacks and confusion.

Writing on the Oxford Mail website, Sgthilts said: “It is usually impassable at the best of times.”

Another commenter called 'Andrew' tried to take a look on the brighter side, and added: “At least it’s not on the same weekend as the Oxford Half Marathon.”