New traffic measures to be introduced on Banbury's Cherwell Street in bid to ease congestion

Oxfordshire County Council is set to change traffic arrangements on Cherwell Street in a bid to ease congestion in Banbury town centre following last month's scaffolding collapse.

From Wednesday evening (November 11), drivers will only be permitted to travel southbound along the section of road currently open to traffic.

Cherwell Street was completely closed for more than a week after scaffolding collapsed at a nearby building site on Wednesday, October 21, leaving two workers seriously injured.

The road was partially reopened to traffic in both directions on October 30 after Cherwell District Council advised that it was safe to do so.

The section furthest from the scaffolding site, between the George Street and Bridge Street junctions, is currently open to traffic.

However, following complaints from bus companies about lengthy delays to their services, the section will become southbound-only.

Northbound traffic will be diverted via George Street, Marlborough Road, Horse Fair and North Bar Street.

Lower Cherwell Street will remain open, but drivers will only be permitted to turn left when exiting onto Cherwell Street.

Access to the Morrisons petrol station will only be permitted from the southbound direction, with vehicles required to turn right when leaving.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: “Oxfordshire County Council will await further information from Cherwell District Council and the Health and Safety Executive before a full reopening.

“The approval of both organisations will only be given once they are satisfied the site owner has made the area fully safe.”

To keep up to date with local traffic updates, visit: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/roadworks