Oxford motorists 'avoid road closure' by 'pavement driving'

North Hinksey Lane has a closure in place this week as Thames Water works are carried out in the street which links Botley Road to the A34 near the Hinksey Hill Interchange. 

A large hole has been dug into the road surface as Thames Water workers have set up barriers and road closure signs halfway up the road. 

READ MORE: Large police presence at incident on Oxford street

Thames Water barriers set up around the hole dug into the road (Image: Contributed) Thames Water was asked if it is aware of motorists driving on the pavement to get past the road closure signs while workers are not on site before 7am and in the evenings. 

One man living in North Hinksey Lane, who asked not to be named, said: "It is not just the occasional car ignoring the signs. There are numerous people squeezing past the barriers by resorting to pavement driving. 

"Fortunately the work has been scheduled during half-term while there is not the rush to access the school at the end of the road, but it is still an odd situation that has been created." 

North Hinksey Church of England Primary School is at the end of the road close to the A34 and North Hinksey village. 

A Thames Water spokeswoman said: “Our engineers are repairing two leaks along North Hinksey Lane, during which time a road closure is in place.

"We scheduled both leak repairs at the same time to avoid repeated road closures.

"We are sorry for any disruption caused to local residents and motorist while we carry out these essential works.”

Works are due to be completed today (October 30). 

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