Essential maintenance work on a major route in Oxfordshire is set to extend into the coming week after a gas pipeline issue prompted officials to seal off the carriageway.

Oxford Road, which runs southward from Oxford and travels through Bagley Wood in the vicinity of Kennington, was sealed off in both lanes at approximately 8:21am on Friday, 28 August.

The closure was ordered by gas network operator SGN following detection of a leak on a high-pressure transmission main.

Local households in the surrounding area had reported detecting the odour of natural gas prior to the shutdown.

An SGN representative indicated that initial repair operations would persist beyond the current timeframe.

According to the company statement, the thoroughfare was shut at its intersection with Bagley Wood Road to facilitate urgent remediation activities.

The organisation acknowledged that the route carried substantial traffic volumes and expressed regret for the disruption experienced by travellers and residents alike.

The spokesperson explained that field technicians anticipated completing a provisional solution to the damaged section of main during the course of Friday.

However, assessment of the infrastructure revealed that a portion of the pipeline would require complete renewal due to its deteriorating condition.

The necessary reconstruction effort is projected to extend into the following week, with officials pledging to communicate revised reopening schedules once definitive timelines become available.

The gas supplier thanked community members for their tolerance throughout the incident.

Temporary routing has been established, directing motorists along the A34 trunk road, while supplementary alternative paths have been arranged through Sugworth Lane and Kennington Road.