A NEW ‘hamburger’ roundabout at Heyford Hill may ease traffic problems on the Oxford ring road.

Sainsbury’s has submitted plans to create the new ‘hamburger’ junction, similar in scale to the scheme completed three years ago at the Green Road roundabout in Headington.

The supermarket chaim claims the scheme will improve access to its Heyford Hill store and relieve congestion at the notorious bypass bottleneck.

Oxfordshire County Council last night confirmed the work would be part of a wider scheme, which could eventually see an extra lane built between Heyford Hill and the Abingdon Road roundabout.

David McElhannan, Sainsbury’s development executive, said: “The works to the roundabout would be paid for by Sainsbury’s, meaning that these improvements would not need to be paid from public funds.”

The company, which is set to expand its store, said it was not yet able to give details of the cost of the scheme.

But Mr McElhannan added: “The proposals represent a substantial financial investment by Sainsbury’s. Whilst planning permission for an extension to our Heyford Hill store was granted last year, we are keen to see access to the store improved before the extension opens.

“If we are granted planning permission, Sainsbury’s would look to commence construction works alongside the store extension in 2011.”

Heyford Hill Sainsbury’s manager Kevin Morton said: “The work will improve the safety of the roundabout for Sainsbury’s customers and for the public. It’s positive for everyone.”

Sainsbury’s wants to cut two new lanes through the centre of the Heyford Hill roundabout, with an eastbound section of the bypass widened.

Additional lanes would also be created to improve traffic flow at the congested junction, where the A4074 meets the southern and eastern bypasses.

Traffic lights would also be introduced with a new toucan crossing on the eastern side for pedestrians.

But it has emerged that the Sainsbury’s plan is to be the first phase of a far bigger scheme now being drawn up by Oxfordshire County Council.

The council said it was now working closely with Sainsbury’s to ensure the proposals at Heyford Hill fitted in with its plans to address congestion on the A34 and Oxford ring road.

Ian Hudspeth, the county council's cabinet member for infrastructure, said: “We warmly welcome this third party investment at a time when we are looking carefully at the southern approaches to Oxford.”

County Hall was awarded £62m for its Access to Oxford scheme to ease congestion in and around the city and it will be awaiting details of the new Government’s spending review in the hope it will not fall victim to spending cuts.

Mr Hudspeth said County Hall would now be working closely with Sainsbury’s to ensure easing traffic flow at Heyford Hill did not to create another bottleneck nearby.

He said the idea of using empty land at the side of the ring road to create an extra lane, possibly for buses, was only one option being looked at, as was the idea of creating a new filter lane to improve traffic flow on to the A4074.

The council is expected to consult on its wider proposals later in the year.

Because of its position, the planning application from Sainsbury’s will be submitted to both Oxford City Council and South Oxfordshire District Council.

Meanwhile, in a bid to reduce congestion on to the ring road west of Oxford, traffic lights are being installed at the A34 Botley interchange to be operational in June.

A pedestrian and cycle crossing on the western side of the roundabout on to the A420 will also be created.

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