DRIVERS are being warned they face further delays at Oxford's gridlocked Green Road roundabout.

Work started in April to build a lane running through the round-about in Headington - converting it into a hamburger design - and is due to finish in the first week of December.

But yesterday motorists were warned they face further delays over the next few weeks as the A40 route to London is constructed through the roundabout, Work started this week to resurface the approach roads, and this will run until November 15.

David Robertson, county council cabinet member for transport, said the work would cause inevitable delays for drivers.

Work on each entry and exit will take two to three days.

Mr Robertson said: "It would be best if drivers avoided the roundabout completely, and those heading for London are advised to use junction nine of the M40 instead.

"Drivers are bound to experience delays but they will have to put up with it for now because they will feel the benefit at the end of the project."

Traffic in off-peak periods will be reduced to one lane on each approach to the roundabout, with work starting yesterday on the Bayswater Road and A40 northern bypass approaches.

Earlier this month, more than 100 bus passengers were stuck in Barton for more than an hour, as traffic leading up to the roadworks ground to a halt.

Patrick Murray, Liberal Democrat city councillor for Barton, said: "At least the entrance to the Barton estate is not being closed, but this is an awful lot of pain for an uncertain amount of gain for residents.

"Some residents have told me it is taking them up to an hour to get on and off the estate at times.

"The traffic lights will make the roundabout safer, but we will have to wait and see if they make it easier to get past."

Resurfacing work is also being carried out next month on the eastern bypass and northern bypass, but it will be done at night to minimise disruption.

Work will take place on the northern bypass on the Marston flyover on November 7 and 10, from 9pm to 6am, and on the eastern bypass between 7.30pm and 6am on November 14 and 15.

Tomorrow, new road signs are being erected to direct patients to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

The new signs will go up on Oxford's ring road and are being put in place to help direct extra patients to the hospital in Headington from January, once the Radcliffe Infirmary closes.

The switch paves the way for the transfer of 1,200 staff and all services at the RI to the JR on January 13 and 14, at the same time as the new Oxford Children's Hospital opens.

  • A sign on the A4074 approaching the Heyford Hill roundabout, which advised drivers in January that roadworks on the northern bypass would take 42 weeks, has now been amended to confirm that the Green Road roundabout work will finish in December.