06
October
2014
|
10:46
Europe/London

Southern Bypass improvements progress as contraflow set to switch carriageway

The changeover, which is being done to allow crews to start work on the final phase of resurfacing and repairs, should not impact on current journey times but the advice remains to plan your journeys in advance to avoid delays.

There will be temporary changes to local road layouts and diversion routes through the scheme, including the closure of Abingdon Road in both directions where it meets Kennington Roundabout. More details on this are available on the website at https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/a423-southern-bypass-kennington-and-hinksey-hill-roundabouts

Work is on schedule to remove the contraflow at the end of November and increased weekday working hours and increased resources are being used as far as possible, while still maintaining the safety of the site. In recent weeks there have been between 40 and 50 personnel working on site. These actions have been taken to maintain the original completion date following unforeseen circumstances, including an unmapped power cable, which hampered progress.

Oxfordshire County Council is investing more than £6 million of City Deal funding in a project that will bring a new “hamburger” style roundabout to Kennington Roundabout as well as traffic-flow improvement measures at Hinksey Hill Interchange, and the refurbishment of four bridges in the area.

The improvements to Kennington and Hinksey Hill roundabouts is a transport project that forms part of the Oxford and Oxfordshire City Deal - an agreement with the government to support the Oxfordshire economy by investing in science and technology.

Around 60,000 vehicles a day pass through the junctions and the scheme has been designed to increase capacity by 30 per cent in the evening peak period.

County Councillor David Nimmo Smith, Cabinet member for transport, said: “I am sure that people will be pleased to see that the work is now entering the final phase, and that we are on track to hit the November completion date.

“The change to the contraflow should not bring any further delays but, as always, we are urging people to plan their journeys in advance and keep up to date with the latest traffic and travel news.

“You can find more information on how to plan your journey at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/travelchoices”.