Council stops access to Wytham ahead of three more weekends of …
Oxfordshire County[1] Council has issued notice of a temporary traffic order prohibiting through traffic in Seacourt Lane, Wytham, from June 8 until July 1.
This order is being introduced because of A34 closures, and vehicle and pedestrian safety works which are anticipated to be completed July 1, 2023, said the notice.
It affects the whole length of Seacourt Lane from south of the Wytham turn from the A34 northbound to the A420 Botley junction.
National Highways is carrying out essential concrete repairs to the viaduct which carries the A34 over the River Thames near Wolvercote.
The road has been closed over a series of weekends. The official diversion was via the eastern ring road but motorists have been ignoring signs, causing misery for residents of Wolvercote who have been trapped in their homes and unable to pick up their children from weekend activities. The disruption was worsened by delays on Botley Road which is closed until the end of October for upgrade works to Oxford[3] rail station. The council notice states: "A fully signed diversion will be in place via Eastern Bypass Road, A40 and A44 between the Peartree and Hinksey Hill Interchanges." Exemptions are included for emergency services and for the works and for access to property which is only accessible from the closed section of road. The alternative route for traffic is via the A34 to Botley Interchange, it states. Following rat running through Wolvercote, Greg Stone, National Highways Route Manager said: “We are aware that people are still not using the official diversion route when the A34 at Wolvercote is closed. "We understand the impact of these closures. However, National Highways doesn't have enforcement powers to control drivers and we rely on drivers' goodwill to follow the diversion signs.