THE man in charge of transport policy in Oxfordshire has said traffic congestion is going to get "much worse" - but has refused to consider congestion or road charging as a solution.

The Government announced drivers could pay up to £1.34 a mile in 'pay-as-you go' road charges aimed at cutting congestion.

Satellite technology fitted to every car would track journeys, with prices starting from 2p per mile in rural areas, increasing to £1.34 on motorways at peak times.

But David Robertson, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for transport, said motorists had to expect congestion as a fact of life - and pricing people off the road was not the answer.

He said: "The real difficulty is the A34 and A40, but there doesn't seem to be an innovative thinking other than 'let's price people off the road'.

"In 1964 a journey from Edinburgh to Oxford used to take 12 hours - it now takes six but people get extremely frustrated because it might take seven-and-a-half-hours."

Mr Robertson said rush-hour traffic congestion in Oxfordshire was "dire" but added: "If you travel after 9am and before 4pm you will not have any problems.

"If the technology was available you could deliver road pricing during the hours of 7am-10am then use that money to provide much better quality public transport.

"This Government seems to think it's a good idea, but it would be utter chaos."