New traffic-calming measures in Benson are a "disaster waiting to happen", according to parish councillors.

Instead of making the B4009 Watlington Road safer at the eastern approach to the village, a new 'pinch point' - where the road has been narrowed to just one priority lane - and a sudden change in the speed limit are posing an extra hazard, they say.

The council's chairman, Paul Booker, has demanded urgent action before there is a serious accident.

Mr Booker said: "The speed limit for traffic coming from Watlington is 50mph, but about 20 or 30 metres before Blacklands Road, the road narrows by one metre on each side.

"The speed limit suddenly changes to 30mph and traffic leaving Benson has priority.

"People don't understand what to do and there have already been several near misses. We want the pinch point to be staggered like a chicane. It's a disaster waiting to happen.

The county council's area engineer, Brian Short, confirmed that the traffic-calming features had been put in the wrong place and the drawings ignored.

He said: "I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a disaster waiting to happen, but I am concerned about it and action will be taken to correct it."