David Robertson, the county council's executive member for transport, has welcomed a generous transport settlement from the Government.

The £19m of capital funding, for the road maintenance programme and other highways projects, is an improvement on last year's allocation, of about £15m.

Mr Robertson said the cash from central Government would ensure a swift start on projects planned from April.

He added: "Oxfordshire is considered a progressive transport authority and we've received a much better settlement than we expected.

He added: "The Government would like us to spend about £10m on highways maintenance with the remainder of the funding allocated to other specific projects, including funding for the Guided Transit Express."

Earlier this week, the Government announced a £3bn programme to build new roads across the country.

Projects to widen the congested M6 to four lanes for 50 miles between Manchester and Birmingham will cost £960m.

Turning the busy A1 into a dual carriageway between Morpeth and Alnwick in Northumberland will cost about £100m.