Oxford motorists criticise Botley Interchange works

Since National Highways started work at the Botley Interchange last month, temporary concrete barriers have narrowed the roundabout to a single lane.

Frustrated drivers have questioned why the measures extend to the whole roundabout when work is mainly focused on the bridge over the A34.

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They claimed it was causing unnecessary congestion.

It follows traffic chaos last month when commuters were stuck in five hour delays at the roundabout, with police eventually called in to help.

Commuters were stuck in five hour delays at the roundabout earlier this month (Image: Oxford Mail)

National Highways said the barriers protected both workers and road users.

But Oxford motorist Mike Tustin, 51, who uses the roundabout regularly, asked: “Why does the road have to be one lane only on the solid ground?"

"I get why the bridges are one lane but the whole roundabout could have two lanes on the solid ground with lanes identified for traffic travelling in different directions."

He said traffic was so bad that he sat at the lights for five cycles of traffic earlier this month.

“I wasn’t able to proceed on each green light because there was no room at the next set of lights for me to go forward,” he said.

“The next set of lights was full of cars only and the yellow box made it illegal for me to proceed. 

“In the end and after hearing people behind me hooting their horns I had no choice but to proceed and wait on the edge of the yellow box.

The Botley Interchange allowed for two-lane traffic before the temporary concrete barriers were installed last month (Image: Google Maps)

“In my opinion a four-year-old child could design better traffic management."

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Another frustrated driver, who asked not to be named, said: "There appears to be no real rhyme or reason with how the works are being managed. It is immensely frustrating."

The Botley Interchange roadworks are expected to last until March 2024.

A National Highways spokesman said: "Safety is our number one priority, and we apologise for the congestion and inconvenience caused around Botley Interchange.

“We are taking additional measures to minimise disruption while this vital maintenance work takes place.

"The barriers at the roundabout above the A34 need to replaced.

"To protect those working on the scheme, the A34 below and the safety of those travelling through the works it has been necessary to put out temporary concrete barriers which reduces the capacity for this short section of carriageway over the A34 on both bridges.

"We are continuing to look into any further measures we can take, but would continue to ask people to allow additional time to complete their journeys if they need to travel through this section of roadworks.”