WORK to improve traffic flow at the Botley interchange in Oxford is on schedule, according to the county councillor in charge of transport.

Long traffic queues were reported on Botley Road yesterday lunchtime, with cars nose to tail in both directions. The improvement scheme began on May 14 and is due to be completed by the end of the month.

A key change to the busy junction will be removing a lane allowing Oxford-bound traffic to turn right into North Hinksey Lane East by McDonald’s.

West Way vehicles will instead be able to turn into North Hinksey Lane on the other side of McDonald’s, making it a two-way street.

Cabinet member for transport Rodney Rose said: “The old traffic lights were ancient.

“With the new lights and the change in the way the lanes are configured, we expect the junction to run more smoothly.”