A report predicting gridlock on the A34 could hit unpopular plans for new homes in Didcot.

The Highways Agency predicts that by 2026 the A34 in Oxfordshire will become one of the most congested roads in the South East.

Experts say the road will not be able to cope with traffic generated by planned housing growth, including 9,000 new homes at Didcot.

Didcot Town Council, which is opposed to further expansion of the town, claims the new report provides clear evidence the housing strategy is flawed.

The findings are part of the Highways Agency's submission to the South East Plan (SEP) public inquiry.

The draft South East Plan - a blueprint for housing development across the region until 2026 - includes 47,200 new homes for Oxfordshire with the focus of growth on Bicester, Didcot and Grove.

Town council leader Margaret Davies, said: "As far as I am concerned it throws the proposals into disarray. It simply does not stack up to put housing 10 miles from Oxford - whether it's at Didcot, Bicester or Grove."

Mrs Davies said the only way forward was to review the Green Belt and provide more new homes closer to the city, off Grenoble Road.

The report's findings are based on predicted traffic levels in 2026 if the proposed housing developments - supported by Oxfordshire County Council - went ahead and no action was taken to alleviate pressure on the transport network.

The report reveals that the A34 is already operating above capacity.

Measures to improve the situation could include travel plans for schools and businesses to encourage sustainable transport, priority lanes for buses and car share vehicles, intelligent traffic signalling and toll charges.

But the agency has ruled out widening the A34 due to environmental constraints.