Families living in an Oxford conservation area are furious that roadworks in Cowley have turned their quiet road into a 'rat run'.

Salegate Lane residents, from left, Jackie Morris with son Luke, Julie Kemp-Harper with son Aidan, and Virginia Lewis

They say the lack of adequate signs has led to cars, buses and lorries using narrow Salegate Lane off Hollow Way in Temple Cowley as a temporary diversion resulting in gridlock at peak times.

Last week traffic lights at the staggered junction on Cowley Road, linking Between Towns Road and Hollow Way, were temporarily suspended to allow Transco to carry out gas main repairs.

Drivers are now seeking diversions through Temple Cowley to rejoin Cowley Road beyond the junction.

One angry resident, Virginia Lewis, who returned from holiday in north Wales to find traffic queuing bumper to bumper in her usually tranquil street blamed part of the problem on the lack of warning signs on the ring road approaching the main Cowley turn by the BMW plant.

Mrs Lewis said: "No-one would mind if this was for just one week but it's going to be another month before they're finished."

"This a major problem and it's resulting in continuous traffic, day and night."

"The designated route is Junction Road and Temple Road but drivers obviously think that this is a quicker option.

"Yesterday we had a complete blockage. People got to the bottom of Hollow Way and couldn't turn right.

"It's a residential road and at the bottom there's only room for one car with parking on just one side.

"It's a nightmare because people are trying to come up the lane.

"Lorries have been battling it out and driving on the pavement, with arguments between drivers because no-one will give way."

Mrs Lewis added: "Rush hour is the worst. When we arrived home from holiday we had to sit in the car for 10 minutes because we couldn't even get out. It was ridiculous.

"If there was a fire or some other incident the emergency services wouldn't be able to get there."

Neighbour, Julie Kemp-Harper, agreed. "Everyone's getting hacked off with the situation.

"It's totally inappropriate in a conservation area."

Mrs Kemp-Harper, 35, added: "After one week a bollard has been uprooted and a parked car and flower borders damaged.

"The lane is very narrow, especially at the bottom, where we have seen cars skidding and we have already collected two hub caps.

"It is very dangerous and an accident waiting to happen.

"We feel that it is irresponsible of the council who have provided inadequate signage and diversion options.

"Only this morning an ambulance on call was trapped behind a truck and cars.

"The roadworks are set to carry on for a minimum of four weeks, and we are asking drivers to find alternative routes, while pressing the council for a safer and more acceptable solution to the problem."

Andrew Vidovic, Oxfordshire County Council's assistant engineer, said: "We're sorry that the residents of Salegate Lane are experiencing problems with traffic. We are aware of the situation and we will be investigating."