Oxford roundabouts roadworks 'affecting market trade'

"Confusing" signs and traffic queues during roadworks at two busy Oxford junctions are affecting trade, market stallholders have said.

The £10m overhaul of Cutteslowe and Wolvercote roundabouts, which began in July, is set to last until next autumn.

Some Wolvercote market traders said customers were avoiding long queues and trade was down.

The county council said roads to and from the roundabouts were open and the market was accessible during the works.

Visitors should not be deterred, the authority added.

Motorists have already expressed concern over the work, which includes widening approach roads, new traffic lights, improved crossings and cycle lanes.

Wolvercote market stallholder Ruby Radwan said First Turn - a regular route into the village from the A4144 - had been blocked off during the works.

She added diversions, via the Wolvercote roundabout, took "much longer" and said signage was "quite confusing".

Other traders described the traffic situation as "dire" and said people in the north of the city were now more likely to travel to other places, such as Summertown, to shop.

Oxfordshire County Council said the scheme was necessary for the roads to cope with planned developments around the city.