HOPES are high that Bicester will manage to avoid traffic chaos on Black Friday, despite a major expansion to Bicester Village.

For the past two years the town has managed to avoid the mayhem of Black Friday in 2014, when the town's roads were gridlocked and cars were abandoned on grass verges by shoppers heading to the outlet centre.

This year, as in 2015 and 2016, Bicester Village is not officially taking part in any Black Friday promotions.

That decision, along with improvements to the roads network as part of the expansion, have led to confidence tomorrow will pass smoothly.

Mayor of Bicester, Les Sibley, said: "It will be low key in comparison to previous years, that's the message that will go out, it won't be publicised.

"Online shopping will have a big part to play, it will help in terms of traffic and road networks, the park and ride, and rail congestion.

"The [improvements to] road networks and transport links have only just been completed, the train station has come a long way, the hamburger junction is working well.

"It'll all play a part for Black Friday.

"Hopefully there are enough measures in place to make it enjoyable for the shoppers and safe for local residents.

"There's been a lot of issues in the past, the new ingredients should come together and improve the situation."

Last month 30 new boutiques opened at Bicester Village, increasing its size by about a fifth.

The expansion included 450 new parking spaces and the entrance of the shopping outlet was improved by widening the junction at Pingle Drive to include two lanes heading in as well as two heading out.

A traffic-light led, 'tear-drop' junction was built at this junction, with the hamburger-style roundabout further up the road on the A41.

Sallie Wright, of Bicester Traffic Action Group, said: "There's the usual traffic management system in place for Black Friday as there are on weekends, such as cones on roads including King's Avenue and Middleton Stoney Road, near Bicester Village.

"Estate road signs say parking is for residents only.

"After the expansion, Bicester Village has got extra car parking space, there's also a good park and ride system but it doesn't always get used.

"There's also the train which is a great help, people can come in from London."

Black Friday, an import from the United States, is a day of special shopping offers in the run up to Christmas.

Bicester town councillor, Nick Mawer, said: "I have written to the neighbourhood police sergeant seeking assurances that the neighbourhood team and their traffic colleagues will be monitoring the situation and be able to respond appropriately.

"Having said that, Bicester Village's management of traffic issues has improved dramatically since 2014".

A spokesperson for Bicester Village said: "Bicester Village does not take part in Black Friday.

"We always expect this period to be busy as people begin their Christmas shopping.

"We have therefore taken our usual measures including additional off site car parking and we encourage all our guests to take advantage of the later shopping hours to avoid peak times."