Work to improve major Bicester junction reaches halfway point

Oxfordshire County Council is encouraging residents and visitors to plan their journeys through Bicester this summer, as work to convert the Banbury Road roundabout into a signalised junction reaches the halfway point. 

The southern side of Banbury Road, from the roundabout to Lodge Close, will be closed for three months from today (Monday 22 July). The closure will be in effect for 24 hours a day, seven days a week with narrow lanes in place on the northern half of the road to manage traffic. The closure has been planned in the school summer holidays when fewer vehicles are expected on local roads. However, journeys may take longer. 

The Banbury Road will reopen to all road users at the end of October 2024. 

Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “I want to thank Bicester residents, commuters, and businesses for their patience as we reach the halfway point on this work. 

“We are now entering the busiest phase of this project and are asking people to plan their journeys in advance and follow diversion signs. The Banbury Road will reopen to all road users at the end of October.” 

During the closure, traffic towards Bicester will be diverted both ways using the ring road. Drivers should follow all diversion signs. The Fringford Road will be reopened. 

Pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted along Southwold Lane and the Banbury Road. Residents can access their properties during the closure using the vehicle and footpath diversions. Buses will be diverted using the Buckingham Road, with two new temporary bus stops provided for the 500 bus route. 

During the road closure, work will take place to: 

• create a new island on Banbury Road south 
• install a new central island adjacent to the Fringford Road and on the roundabout east and west approaches 
• complete the second half of the toucan crossing on the A4095 
• construct new drainage and footways 
• surface the Banbury Road south up to the roundabout approach splitter island

The new junction has been designed to safely increase vehicle capacity, using traffic signals, while also providing better pavements and cycle paths and safer crossings. When finished, it will help Bicester to manage the increase in traffic as new houses continue to be built in the area.  

More information

The work is fully funded by central government, with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government providing £5.5 million and £5.9m secured from the Growth Deal. 

Oxfordshire County Council is working with Galliford Try to construct these improvements. 

The signalised junction will include: 

• adding new traffic signals to each arm of the junction 
• reducing the speed limit from 40 to 30 miles per hour 
• maintaining access for drivers to turn right from Fringford Road 
• separate crossings and paths for pedestrians and cyclists at the western and southern arms of the junction 
• buffer zones between the cycle track and the carriageway along three of the junction arms

Stages of work 

Work began in February 2024 on the Fringford Road, with the removal of the existing roundabout island. Work on the B4100 northbound followed in the spring. 

When phase three finishes, work will take place on the A4095 westbound from October 2024 through to January 2025. 

Construction is scheduled to finish with road surfacing on the B4100 in January and electrical works in early February 2025. 

More information can be found online at oxfordshire.gov.uk/banburyroadroundabout.