Residents of Helmdon are angry about the extension of a road closure to Brackley by two months.

Villagers originally thought they were only going to have to use the country lane diversion to their main town for a month, but the closure was extended by a month, allowing HS2 to work on the high speed railway line.

Now they have been told Radstone Road will not be reopened until February. Meanwhile conditions on the diversion route, along a country lane, have become intolerable with a number of collisions being reported.

One Helmdon resident told the Banbury Guardian: “Radstone Road was initially shut from November until December. That was delayed until December 19, then December 23. Then on December 23 - residents were told it wouldn’t reopen until mid February.

Radstone Road, the main route from Helmdon to Brackley, will have been closed for four months

placeholder image — Radstone Road, the main route from Helmdon to Brackley, will have been closed for four months

"We’ve now heard from local councillors - not HS2 themselves - that this is delayed again until mid March. This has only been told through a WhatsApp group and I’ve had no official communication. I don’t think a lot of people even know yet.

"There are many angry people in Helmdon. The diversion route is so slippery and during an icy spell recently there was a multiple vehicle 'pile-up'. It’s a real nuisance for us and the lack of communication and care from HS2 is what’s angering people.”

A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd said: “We are sorry for the inconvenience caused by the continued closure of Radstone Road. This is to allow our contractors to address actions identified during the road safety audit and at the same time, complete some works that were planned in January and February. Completing these additional works now will reduce the need for further closures in the future.

“In the meantime, access for non-motorised users has been maintained and nearby homes remain accessible via alternative routes. We will share the new opening date with the wider community once it has been agreed.”

Communities along the route of HS2 have been suffering roads disruption for many months. Chipping Warden experiences frequent closures as work to the A361 is continued. HS2 says as a result of inspections of the realigned A361 over the Chipping Warden Green Tunnel it is making some ‘minor changes’ near the roundabout requiring closure this weekend (January 23 – 25).