A major road between Oxford and Reading will be closed for a week from next Sunday for bridge repair work.

All through traffic on the Oxford Road for the bridge over the A34 at Lodge Hill will be diverted for the maintenance work, according to National Highways.

The A4183 will be closed from Dunmore Road to Sugworth Lane in both directions, from 9pm on Sunday, October 27 to Saturday, November 2, to allow “essential repair works” to be completed.

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Project manager Nick Axford said: “Every effort is being made to minimise disruption for road users and residents.

“After careful consideration, this vital maintenance work has been scheduled to take place over half term as traffic volume is less during the holiday period.

“We also planned for this to be carried out over one full week in preference to staggered roadworks that would require numerous weekend road closures over a longer period of time.”

All traffic will be diverted from the ridge and the A34 entry slip road, though the exit slip will remain open for traffic travelling south towards Abingdon.

Oxford buses will still have access during the day to reduce disruption to public transport routes and will be diverted at night.

Mr Axford added: "To help ease people's journeys, we are providing a free 24/7 shuttle bus for pedestrians and cyclists wanting to cross the bridge.

“For those planning on travelling between Oxford and Abingdon, you can avoid having to use the diversion route by taking public transport as the bus route is unaffected."

Residents and businesses will continue to have access to the Oxford Road.

The bridge maintenance includes re-waterproofing to prevent deterioration, along with works like replacing expansion joints, installing new kerbs and resurfacing.

Traffic travelling North on the A4183 will be diverted via Oxford Road, Vineyard, Stratton Way, Ock Street (A415), Marcham Road, to join the A34 northbound to exit at Hinksey Hill Interchange and then onto Hinksey Hill to rejoin the A4183.

Traffic heading south on the A4183 will be diverted via Hinksey Hill, Hinksey Hill Interchange onto the A34 southbound to exit at the next junction and turn left onto Oxford Road (A4183).

The A34 northbound entry slip diversion will see traffic from the south side of the bridge diverted via Oxford Road, Vineyard, Stratton Way, Ock Street (A415) and Marcham Road, to join the A34 northbound.

Traffic from the northside of the bridge will be diverted via Hinksey Hill to join the A34.