There were severe delays on the A34 southbound between the M40 junction and the A420 Botley Interchange on Tuesday morning (April 30.)
These delays were due to SGN emergency gas roadworks which started on Monday to fix a leak in a recently fitted pipe near the Botley Interchange and are expected to take four days.
Motorists reported experiencing delays lasting over an hour on Tuesday. The temporary works are set to last until Thursday, May 2.
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The severe delays throughout Tuesday morning angered drivers who were especially affected during rush hour.
“’The bumper-to-bumper traffic on the A34 this morning left me very frustrated and tired to start my work day,” said one motorist.
“I spent over an hour stuck in stop-start traffic on the A34, which more than doubled my journey time to get to work in Oxford.”
Another added: “Traffic is backed up all the way down the Eynsham Road.
“The sooner we get more routes through and around town the better.”
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SGN maintain that the works are necessary and that they will remain in place over the coming days despite “significant disruption”.
A spokesperson for SGN said: “We’re sorry for the traffic delays along the A34 near Botley while we carry out urgent repairs to our gas network.
“For everyone’s safety, we’ve temporarily closed the kerbside lane heading south on the A34 Southern By-Pass Road.
“We know any work on the A34 can cause significant disruption.
“This is why we’ve carefully planned our repair to keep one lane open while we work 24 hours a day this week to complete our repair as quickly as possible with minimal disruption.
“This repair is not connected to our recent upgrade project further along the A34.
“Our work is progressing well and is on schedule to be completed on Thursday, May 2.”
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Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon Layla Moran has urged residents to persist through the delays due to how important the works are.
“I have been closely monitoring the emergency gas works taking place on the A34 this week,” she said.
“SGN has informed local schools and stakeholders of the disruption which includes a one-lane closure of the A34 southbound.
“I know local residents will be frustrated by delays, but it’s important these safety measures are taken.
“I am calling for the creation of a Strategic Coordination Group to enable all agencies involved in our roads network, including SGN, to better communicate and work together when necessary works take place.
“I will continue to listen to residents’ concerns and raise them with SGN.”