Oxford: Botley Road queues ‘significantly’ hit businesses
Motorists experienced hour-long queues on Botley Road yesterday as the introduction of three temporary traffic[1] lights led to traders feeling the impact on their earnings.
These lights have been put in place so gas works can be carried out[2] by Scottish Southern Electricity Networks.
Traffic queuing down Botley Road (Image: Ed Halford)
The works have coincided with the Botley Road closure, which first started on April 11[4] and was introduced so the £161 million upgrade of Oxford station can take place.
In the past, business owners on Botley road have expressed their frustrations with the works and have argued that long queues can deter customers from coming.
The temporary traffic lights (Image: Ed Halford)
Joe Devlin, the owner of Pickle and Lime, said his business had already been “severely affected”.
The businessman said the experience was similar to when parts of the A34 were forced to shut in June so essential repairs to the Wolvercote Viaduct[5] could take place.
Pickle and Lime on Botley Road (Image: Ed Halford)
He said: “Someone should be held accountable for this.
“It is shocking.”
Mr Devlin said he had demanded compensation from Oxford City Council and Network Rail, but this had “fallen on deaf ears”.
Emily Silva, the head of retail at The Oxford Wine Company, told the Oxford Mail the severe traffic had “definitely put people off” from coming to their Botley store.
The Oxford Wine Company store on Botley Road (Image: Ed Halford)
She said: “The last couple of days have been really bad.
“Today’s takings are down significantly.”
Ms Silva said the business’ operations had been affected as it supplies other businesses which are further up Botley Road.
An Oxford Wine Company delivery driver spent an hour and a half coming up and down the Botley Road due to the queues caused by the temporary traffic lights.
Matthew Alden, the managing director of Aldens butchers, said the latest works had yet again demonstrated “no planning” or “coordination”.
Queues down Botley Road (Image: Ed Halford)
He said: “This unsurprising traffic has had a major impact on trading.
“People are getting ready to cheer England on tomorrow and buy some produce…but it’s taking them a long time.”
Mr Alden said he had initially planned to open a new Aldens premises at Osney Mead but since the disruption caused by the Botley Road closure, he said this investment was more likely to be “outside of the ring road”.
He said: “After another reduced trading day, the 14th this year, my mind is 90 per cent made up.”
Queues on Botley Road (Image: Ed Halford)
Scottish Southern Electricity Networks has previously confirmed to the Oxford Mail that works are being carried out at the request of other utilities to enable them to connect to essential services such as telecoms.
The work began on July 31 and is not due to clear until September 1.
Scottish Southern Electricity Networks has been approached for comment.
References
- ^ traffic (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ gas works can be carried out (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ Traffic forced to stop after police incident on A34 (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ the Botley Road closure, which first started on April 11 (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ essential repairs to the Wolvercote Viaduct (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)