The "sad, sorry saga" and "orgy of incompetence" of the Oxford Cornmarket Street repaving debacle is about to take another dramatic turn.

Granite seating soon to be used in Cornmarket Street

The time has come to name, blame and shame all those responsible for the financial disaster, says county councillor John Power.

Backed by the Labour group, Oxford West councillor Mr Power is demanding an official independent inquiry.

Mr Power will make his move on April 6 at the next meeting of Oxfordshire County Council.

His resolution to the council will amount to a plea for the administration to "come clean" and finger the culprits who have landed taxpayers with a £5.1m bill -- about double the original estimate.

"The long-suffering council taxpayers are owed an explanation," said Mr Power.

"We need to get to the truth of this sad, sorry saga. We have to prevent a recurrence. A full and frank explanation is owed to the public. We are talking about scandal with a capital S. This orgy of incompetence has resulted in an ever-escalating cost that is unacceptable."

Mr Power denied he was initiating a witch-hunt, but said that heads should roll if negligence was established.

He claimed one county council officer had already tried to "kick me into the long grass -- to nobble me".

He said: "He took me to one side and attempted to talk me out of putting forward my resolution. He suggested I should leave it to the scrutiny process so there wouldn't be such a public fuss.

"I replied in no uncertain terms that I wasn't interested in having this swept to one side. There must be no cover -p. This has to be out in the open, however dirty the council's own washing.

"I have my own idea where the buck should stop, but I don't intend to be found guilty of pre-judging. This is something I want ferreted out by the inquiry."

Dermot Roaf, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader of the council, was not surprised to hear of Mr Power's intentions and believed that the inquiry being demanded was "feasible" and could be achieved "several ways".

But he added: "Whatever the outcome, no one can come out of this with much credit. It is a very sad affair."

He could foresee "technical problems" over full public exposure and transparency because of existing confidentiality agreements with contractors.

The repaving is a joint operation between the county and city councils. However, the city's financial contribution has been capped at £1.85m.

John Goddard, the Liberal Democrat leader on the city council, blamed a "lack of supervision" at the highest levels throughout the "fiasco".

Conservative county council leader Keith Mitchell agreed that there has to be a "definitive" investigation. "I'm not sure exactly what form it should take, but we are accountable to the public and we have to try to restore faith among the electorate.

"Any scrutiny of this matter has to be as far-reaching and exhaustive as possible. No stone must be left unturned," he said.