THE final stage of Oxford's trouble-hit Cornmarket Street revamp is under way.

Contractors unload safety fencing before the start of work last night

The temporary "blacktop" asphalt surface in the city's main shopping street is being replaced with a buff-coloured surface.

Work started last night and is due to be completed by tomorrow morning, Wednesday, June 15.

The resurfacing project has been carried out jointly by the city and county councils and both hope the latest work will draw a line under the controversy that saw costs double from the original estimate to £5.1m.

This followed a series of problems with a granite surface that began to break up and the discovery of cellars missed in earlier surveys.

The final top surface could have been laid last year but the city and county councils could not agree on which material to use.

The decision to use a buff-coloured bitumen surface instead of black comes after "extensive testing".

David Robertson, the county council's deputy leader and cabinet member for transport, said: "I'm delighted that we have now finally reached this stage.

"I walked up Cornmarket the other day and I found it a delight, and it should be even better with the final surface.

"Despite the cost, the outcome is something that the people of Oxfordshire can be proud of."

To minimise disruption, work was being carried out between 6pm and 6am overnight on Monday and Tuesday with the street remaining open to pedestrians.

Earlier this year, a joint council inquiry concluded that no single individual was responsible for the fiasco but promised that in future, all major projects will be the responsibility of a single officer and project manager.