Work is to continue for another three weeks at Minchery Farm to make Oxford United's new stadium safe before Birse Stadia's full workforce can begin the task of rebuilding, writes Jon Murray.

Les McGill, project manager for Birse, said his company now had a main start date of November 20.

In the meantime, a team of workers will make the site secure and safe.

They will clear away the three-inch layer of algae growth that have formed on much of the material following nearly four years of being left standing and open to the elements.

The drainage, which was left half-finished, has to be completely re-done and Birse are having to try to get in touch with the many companies that were involved in the original building to get detailed specifications.

Mr McGill said: "A problem is that, although some are still going, some of these companies have gone to the wall.

From November 20, a full site workforce of 12 staff and scores of workmen will spring into action. The workforce will rise to 200 at its peak next June.

Excavators and other heavy machinery are expected to arrive on site from the middle of November.