The next phase of work on Abingdon's traffic system will not clear the town's clogged streets of traffic, the mayor has said.

Oxfordshire County Council plans to narrow Stert Street and High Street, as well as widen the pavements.

But fears are growing single lane roads with 20 mph speed limits will increase congestion at the peak morning and evening rush hours.

Mayor Peter Green said: "I had my doubts from the start of the new traffic system last October but was prepared to give it a chance. It gives me no pleasure in saying: 'I told you so.' It's not working and Oxfordshire County Council should fix it."

David Hardy, from East St Helen Street, criticised the new system at a town council meeting this week.

He said: "In some ways town centre traffic has improved during the day, but in the morning and evening congestion is serious with delays in many directions. Already traffic coming into town over the bridge can stretch back as far as the lights at Culham.

"If traffic is forced to filter into a single lane when it reaches High Street, queues over the bridge could double in length. Narrowing Stert Street and High Street will be sheer lunacy."

Traders in Stert Street have said there has been a reduction in traffic and they look forward to wider pavements and single lane traffic.

County council transport chief Peter Mann said: "This project was thoroughly consulted upon and won the agreement of many people and organisations across Abingdon before it was implemented."

Mr Mann said it was never intended that the scheme would remove traffic from the roads. It was about freeing Stert Street and High Street of traffic and making it more pedestrian friendly.

He said: "There were traffic queues before in Abingdon and there are still queues. Unless and until people across the country stop using their cars, congestion is inevitable, especially in market towns like Abingdon.

"The project as a whole is incomplete and cannot be judged."