24th July 2026
An extensive programme to resurface 35 roads, covering over 105,000 square metres of Oxfordshire carriageway by mid-October, has hit the midway point.
Oxfordshire County Council and its principal highways contractor M Group will be upgrading approximately 32 surface inlay sites, involving over 85,000 square metres of road, and three in-depth carriageway structural maintenance schemes, covering 20,838 square metres.
The programme is designed to renew worn and deteriorated road surfaces, improve driving conditions and reduce the need for more reactive repairs in the future. It also supports the council's commitment to reducing carbon emissions from highway maintenance activities.
Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repairs, said: “Following the extreme wet and cold weather we experienced last year, we will be using the summer months to get our roads ready to withstand the worst of the winters to come.
“This vital new programme will extend the life of roads by preventing water getting in, reducing the need for frequent repairs, enhancing skid resistance for safer travel, and smoothing out road surfaces.
“Prevention is better than cure. I know from my own division that the roads that were least affected by potholes this winter were the ones that had been resurfaced most recently.”
Richard Lovewell, M Group’s Business Director, said: “Resurfacing is a vital pillar of highway maintenance, alongside preventative measures such as surface dressing and reactive repairs. We’re proud to be once again partnering with Oxfordshire County Council to deliver a comprehensive package of resurfacing.
“By investing in resurfacing at the right time, we can extend the life of the carriageway, improve safety for road users and help prevent more costly repairs in the future.”
In a county first, one of the structural maintenance schemes will incorporate ACLA, an innovative carbon-negative aggregate-like additive. The technology helps maintain the road's structural integrity while permanently locking carbon into the carriageway, contributing to a lower-carbon approach to highway maintenance.
Major roads to be resurfaced include:
- A44 Worcester Road, Chipping Norton (3 - 7 August)
- A40, Swinbrook (5 August)
- A361 Southam Road, Banbury (24 August - September)
- A361 Horsefair, Banbury (27 August - 11 September)
- A361 Southam Road/Horsefair crossroads (9 - 10 September)
- A40, Milton Common (21 - 22 September)
- Thames Street, Oxford (23 September to 24 September)
- Horspath Driftway, Oxford (28 September - 16 October).
Longer resurfacing schemes include:
- Upavon Way, Carterton (17 August - 25 September)
- Lower Icknield Way, Chinnor (29 September - 2 October)
- A44 Cross Hands (24 August - 6 November).
These dates include preliminary work which will usually take place under temporary traffic lights, ahead of the main surfacing work which will require road closures. To minimise public disruption, the surfacing work takes place overnight wherever possible.
All dates are subject to alteration due to the weather.
Motorists are asked to observe the diversion routes which will be in operation while the work takes place.
Updated details about the programme, including a map showing where and when the work will be taking place, is available on the council’s website.
The latest resurfacing work follows the council’s latest £8 million surface dressing road maintenance programme, most of which was completed between April and June.
