Drivers are flouting the rules at a gridlocked roundabout on the A420 without being fined.

Motorists are ignoring traffic restrictions at the Botley Interchange, at the junction of the A420 and A34 near Oxford, despite safety camera warnings and pleas from the authorities.

Vehicles are routinely stopping in yellow box junctions that were temporarily installed by National Highways to ease congestion.

It follows months of traffic misery at the West Oxford roundabout caused by upgrade works reducing it to a single lane.

National Highways urged rule-breaking drivers to “respect” the temporary restrictions.

At least six signs have been installed at the roundabout which warn that traffic enforcement cameras are in operation.

But National Highways, Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire County Council have confirmed they are not issuing fines in relation to these cameras.

Swindon Advertiser: The Botley Interchange The Botley Interchange (Image: Ben Hardy)It has left motorists free to disregard the restrictions, according to multiple witnesses.

Delivery drivers from Alden Butchers in Osney Mead use the roundabout hundreds of times a week and have reported motorists breaking the rules.

Managing director Matthew Alden said: “It only takes one person to ignore them, and it then causes a knock on effect for everybody.

“Although you have got the yellow boxes, if drivers are constantly not able to get out each time at the traffic lights, then they’re going to creep forward.

“You have got some people who are law abiding citizens and the person behind them is getting frustrated.  

“It’s disastrous that junction. It is soul destroying.

“I can absolutely see why people are flouting the rules.

"They have had to queue up for southbound on the A34 and they wait for four of five traffic light changes and then someone from the left hand side edges forward into the yellow box and blocks them.”

Amid long tailbacks at the roundabout last Sunday (December 10), one eyewitness said delays were being caused by motorists not following the yellow box markings.

Swindon Advertiser: Signs at the Botley Interchange warning about traffic enforcement cameras Signs at the Botley Interchange warning about traffic enforcement cameras (Image: Oxford Mail)"They are still blocking yellow boxes and it's saying enforcement cameras are in operation but how many tickets have been issued since this camera installed?", the motorist said.

Another frustrated motorist added: "Some drivers can become quite aggressive because they’ve been sat for such a long time.

"Also it gets to the point where if you don’t go, you’ll just sit there until Christmas Day because the people from the other direction will just block it.”

A National Highways spokesman said: “We understand the frustrations for road users on the A34 at Botley Interchange and we are working to resolve the issues with congestion.

“The traffic management system is in place to keep traffic at the interchange moving, so we would continue to urge road users to respect the temporary junction layout – this includes using the correct lanes, the yellow box road markings, and following the signage

“As with the first phase of the work, we expect that the situation will settle, but we will continue to review the situation over the coming days.”