SGN has revealed that a further full southbound road closure will be necessary at “a later date” once other planned works in the area have finished.

Motorists are experiencing delays of up to one hour and severe congestion due to the planned A34 southbound closure between A44 Peartree Interchange and A423 Hinksey Hill.

Queues have been lasting for five miles from Botley leading back to Islip and a SGN spokesman has confirmed that “a section of the gas main” in the A34 is being replaced which requires the lane closure for “everyone’s safety”.

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SGN’s spokesman has admitted that during the works “we’ve encountered more engineering difficulties than anticipated”.

He added: “We planned this upgrade work as a permanent solution to the recent emergency work we’ve carried out in this section of the road to prevent future disruption to motorists”.

However, SGN’s spokesman has revealed that a further full southbound closure will be needed in the future; meaning that when the lane closure comes to an end this week this will not bring an end to traffic disruption on the road.

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He said: “Due to where our gas main is located in the road, we now need to complete the final stages of our project under a full southbound road closure.”

SGN has confirmed these works will be done at “a later date” due to “other planned works in the area”.

The spokesman said the SGN teams would remain in place until Friday to “complete as much of our project as possible during this time”.

The spokesman said SGN was “very sorry” to those motorists who had been “affected by delays”.