IT FEELS like a novelty now, but roadworks have once again been causing delays for drivers in Oxford.

Engineers carrying out works on Botley Road put up temporary traffic lights which led to queues the likes of which haven't been seen in months on what is usually one of the city's most congested routes.

The lights went up yesterday and were still in operation from first thing this morning - though at 8am no actual work was going on.

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The work was being done by Thames Water, and finished this afternoon.

Oxford Mail:

A small cordoned-off area in front of the shops opposite Binsey Lane had two small holes inside it.

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Joe Devlin, who runs the new greengrocers on the row of shops, said he spent an hour on the phone to Thames Water yesterday trying to get more information about the works, and ended up giving up.

He said the closure has impacted his business and he would be glad when it was over.

Oxford Mail:

Thames Water has now explained its engineers were repairing a burst pipe.

A spokesman for the company said: "We’re sorry to anyone affected by a burst on a five inch-diameter pipe.

"Our engineers were quickly on the scene and were able to repair the pipe on Tuesday.

"Temporary traffic restrictions were required to stay in place for a bit longer to allow our workers to safely repair the road surface and allow it to set. They should be removed this afternoon."

The works were gone by 3pm.