DRIVERS on the A34 and Oxford’s ring road were gridlocked for hours after a lorry overturned at a roundabout.

The lorry fell on to its side at Kennington roundabout at about 7am, causing tailbacks on the Southern bypass, Abingdon Road and other major routes into the city.

The driver was not seriously hurt and paramedics did not need to attend.

The knock-on effects of the accident were felt by drivers throughout the day, with traffic grinding to a halt on the A34 outside Oxford.

Some drivers on the A34 complained they suffered two hour delays to their journeys.

The lorry was not been removed until 6pm, during the evening rush-hour.

James Wright, a spokesman for the Highways Agency, said: “The overturned lorry caused serious delays on the A34, with particular problems on the southbound carriageway. Traffic tailed back to Islip, and was very slow in the Wolvercote area.

“We used our warning signs on the M40 to alert drivers that there would be delays coming into Oxford.”

Mr Wright said drivers experienced the worst delays between Pear Tree and Botley interchanges on the A34 southbound carriageway.

He added: “Traffic was badly affected going south near the Wytham turn, and passing North Hinksey and South Hinksey villages.”

Police spokesman David Staines said: “At about 7am police received reports that an articulated lorry had tipped on to its side at the Kennington roundabout.

“Officers attended the scene, followed by the Highways Agency to recover the vehicle.

“The location of the lorry and the nature of its load meant that specialist recovery equipment needed to be brought in.

“Traffic bulletins kept motorists informed of road closures and the traffic situation.”

Keith Slater, a director of the Oxfordshire Economic Partnership, said: “When there are major traffic delays on the A34 like this, it definitely has a detrimental effect on the local economy because people can’t get to meetings and deliveries don’t reach their destinations.

“The A34 is a crucial route, linking the ports in the south with the Midlands, and the Highways Agency needs to look at ways of improving the traffic flow.”

Oxford Bus Company buses, including the 300 park-and-ride and X3 services were disrupted.

Spokesman Phil Ashworth said: “Our drivers and control room staff worked hard all day to keep services running as well as possible.”