Oxfordshire: A34 closed near Botley this weekend to complete gas works

Previous closures were labelled a "nightmare"

A section of a major dual carriageway will be closed this weekend to fully reinstate the road after gas works.

Both A34 southbound carriageways near Botley, Oxfordshire, will be shut to allow engineers to work safely.

The full closure will be from 21:00 GMT on Friday until 05:00 on Monday, and a signed diversion route will be in place via the A44, A40 and Eastern Bypass.

It follows a previous closure in November that led to long delays for motorists.

Gas company SGN has contracted Forefront Utilities to carry out the work, following previously replacing existing metal pipelines with new plastic ones that took place last year.

Once completed, SGN said it would mean its entire project on the section of carriageway would be finished.

A spokesperson for the company added: "We're sorry for any inconvenience our work may cause - our traffic management measures have been carefully selected so that our work can be completed safely and efficiently."

Previous work in November overran into Monday rush hour, leading to what a local business owner called "a nightmare".

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