RAIL works in an Oxfordshire town have led to the discovery of ancient ditches.

Residents have noticed archaeological digging taking place in Bicester.

The work is part of the East West Rail Oxford to Bletchley project and is in preparation for reconstruction and building plans on the outskirts of the town.

The main works scheduled to take place include reconstructing the railway line and footbridge at Jarvis' Lane and building a road bridge for vehicles on Charbridge Lane over the railway line.

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Workmen also need to build a main compound just off the roundabout on Bicester Road which will be used as offices and for storage of materials, as well as welfare facilities for construction staff.

But before this can be built, excavations have been carried out resulting in the discovery of Romano-British and Iron ditches thought to be linked to Alchester - a nearby Romano-British and Iron age settlement.

As various sections of the site have been handed back by EWR's archaeological specialists, the land has been filled to start building the compound and will be completed soon.

Residents have also noticed footpaths and bridleways have closed along the railway line.

These planned closures have been made because there will be 'haul roads' which will be used by HGVs and large construction vehicles - making it dangerous to use footpaths.

EWR Alliance Director, Mark Cuzner, said: "I would like to thank everyone in the community for their tolerance and understanding during the implementation of our works.

"In particular, we appreciate that the closure of local footpaths and roads does impact the everyday lives of people in the community and that this impact is exaggerated by the additional strains imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

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"Please rest assured that we are making every effort to minimise the disruption while also responding to the feedback we receive from our community stakeholders."

EWR says it is improving signage and reviewing plans so that it can reopen footpaths as soon as work is finished and it is safe to do so.

Over the next three months, the new footbridge for pedestrians will start being built over the railway line that is being revamped off Jarvis' Lane.

But first a new road needs to be installed so that equipment can get onto the site, meaning vegetation will be cleared.

The footbridge will be installed in early 2021.

Charbridge Lane's new road bridge over the railway will replace the current level crossing.

Work started earlier this summer and will finish in the summer of 2022.

There will be partial and full road closures of Bicester Road during this period, as well as the temporary closure of public rights of way in the area.

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Mr Cuzner added: "By continuing to work through the coronavirus pandemic we are safeguarding the project completion date and working to make the new railway infrastructure available to the public at the earliest possible date."

For more details on road closures go to one.network.