The firm behind plans to redevelop Bicester town centre will be asked to foot the bill for extra parking during building work.

Last week, traders voiced concern after hearing three main car parks could be closed for up to two years.

It means 388 spaces could be lost while the £70m redevelopment takes place, although there are plans to add a deck to Claremont car park.

Cherwell District Council ruled taxpayers should not have to pay the costs of decking the car park, which could be up to £600,000.

At a meeting on Monday, the council backed plans to build a steel-framed structure over the car park.

And property portfolio holder Andrew Fulljames said it should be financed from the sale of tickets for parking.

He said developers - Deddington-based Stockdale Land - and supermarket giant Sainsbury's should finance any shortfall.

Mr Fulljames said he had assumed Stockdale was organising extra parking because it was part of the development brief.

But he added: "An application came in where there was no provision for decking.

"We are quite convinced this is not an issue we should be paying for.

"At the on-set the developer was going to take care of the costs."

Stockdale spokesman Bob Langton said he was confident funding issues could be resolved.

He said there had been confusion over who was responsible for submitting the planning application for the decking.

In a joint statement, Cherwell, Stockdale and Sainsbury's, said: "We wish to reassure retailers and shoppers that the council and developers are working closely together to ensure a continuity and ample supply of car parking during the enabling works and building of the new Bicester town centre redevelopment."

David Simpson, president of Bicester's Chamber of Commerce, said he was now feeling more reassured.

He said: "The chamber is committed to working with both the council and the developer to ensure minimum disruption. It's vital that all the shops remain open and trading as normal."