A NOTORIOUS 'sump buster' that has scarred the underside of many an unsuspecting vehicle could finally be fixed.

Oxfordshire County Council has agreed to look again at the hump, which has been likened to a camel in the road, in Denton, near Garsington.

Residents of the small hamlet have long complained to the council about the issue, caused by both sides of the road slowly subsiding over time, leading to the middle rising up.

Chris Belcher, whose house is next to the problem road, said: "It's honestly as if a camel has been buried there.

"We've all now learnt to drive around it because we know it's there.

"But anyone who is not used to the area drives straight over it and it catches the underside of the car.

"We call it the sump plugger or sump buster because it's a nightmare for the drivers.

"One day it is going to take someone's sump right off and that could cause oil to leak into the brook below, which would be an environmental disaster."

The road, off Denton Way, is a small one-track rural road that is used for access-only by residents.

But it is often used by delivery vans and other more heavy-duty vehicles.

Martin Crabtree, spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council, said officers had not deemed the issue 'a high priority' when they visited previously but now said they will go back and look at the problem again.

He added: "We are aware of this and inspected the area previously.

"At that time although we decided a repair was needed, it was not a high priority.

"However we have decided to revisit and see if the situation has worsened."

Mr Belcher said a previous patch-up job three years ago had failed to address the issue and is calling for the council to take a proper look at the structural problems.

The pensioner, who has lived in the village for 40 years, said it was only a matter of time before the hump causes a major issue.

He added: "Anything that needs a proper job doing, it doesn't seem like they want to touch it.

"If they could see how dangerous it is then maybe they would act faster."

On Monday it was announced that Oxfordshire would get a £7.4million share of Government funding to try and fix up more of the county's ailing roads.

It brings the total amount to be spent this year to more than £218 million.

The most recent funding has not yet been allocated for specific projects.

Oxford Mail readers have been making suggestions for which roads should be counted among the most in need of repairs at oxfordmail.co.uk