Night-time construction to enhance travel options on Banbury's Cherwell Street will begin on Wednesday (7 January).

Oxfordshire County Council, working with contractor M Group Limited, will widen lanes and upgrade traffic signals between the George Street and Bridge Street junctions. The scheme is designed to make bus services through the town centre more dependable and provide safer pedestrian crossings at key junctions.

Night works at the Bridge Street and George Street junctions will take place throughout January as part of a seven-month construction programme.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: "This project aims to maintain Banbury’s bus services in the long-term, focused at two busy junctions. When the work is finished this summer, Banbury will benefit from better pedestrian crossings and improved access for buses, making the town centre more accessible and more attractive to travel to on foot or by bus. We also plan to connect this work up to other improvements planned for cyclists in the future.

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"January is a busy first month for this project, and what we are doing on site will change frequently. Temporary traffic lights and signage will always be in place along with diversion routes to keep people safe. I recommend people plan their journeys in advance and go through the road works carefully."

The programme includes improvements to the existing George Street bus lane, better access for buses entering Bridge Street west, and upgraded crossing facilities and signalling at both junctions.

Traffic management will vary during January, with changing work zones, lane closures and pedestrian diversions. Access will be maintained for businesses and emergency services. Smart traffic signals with remote monitoring will be used to manage congestion and keep traffic flowing, and night working will help reduce daytime disruption.

Construction will be carried out simultaneously at the George Street and Bridge Street junctions to support completion in summer 2026.

The scheme is funded by Department for Transport Bus Service Improvement Plan funding, with local developer Section 106 contributions covering pedestrian safety upgrades.