AN Oxford Mail investigation has revealed that the number of drivers illegally sneaking along a dedicated park and ride lane to beat traffic queues has soared.

Despite Oxfordshire County Council pledging action 18 months ago, nearly half of all drivers using the park and ride lane in Botley Road yesterday turned straight back out to avoid queuing traffic.

The figures came as police revealed they had dished out just four fixed penalty notices to motorists illegally using the lane at Seacourt Park and Ride in the past year.

Between 7.50am and 8.50am we counted 515 vehicles turning into the park and ride, with 211 - 41 per cent - immediately turning back out to Botley Road.

Many did dangerous U-turns at the entrance to the car park, while others turned at the roundabout further up.

The figures show a dramatic increase since the Oxford Mail first revealed the level of cheating motorists 18 months ago, when 76 out of 280 drivers - 27 per cent - were seen misusing the lane.

Ian Hudspeth, county council cabinet member for transport, said: "I must admit I'm surprised at the amount - 40 per cent is a large proportion.

"People infringing on the bus lane are adding to the backlog. I will report to the relevant officers to see what we can do.

"If you're sitting on the road and you see someone doing this it's going to annoy you. A camera is the easiest way of enforcing it."

Mr Hudspeth said the council had been concentrating first on installing cameras for bus gates in the city centre, which were launched in February.

Thames Valley Police Insp Martin Percival said drivers flouting the rules could be given £30 fixed penalty notices.

He said: "We have in the past carried out operations, including some at Seacourt Park and Ride, where we monitor the traffic that is abusing the system and using the bus lane when they should not be. We will be conducting such operations in the future."

Peter Mann, the council's assistant head of transport, said: "The county council would strongly advise people to obey the road signs in that part of Oxford.

"Motorists have an obligation to observe the restriction signs in place."

Paul Watters, head of roads policy for the AA, said greater enforcement was needed but warnings should be given first.

He said: "It's unfair. I would be incredibly resentful of seeing someone do this. It makes a mockery of the regulation. The more people do it, the more others will be tempted."

Phil Norris, 36, did a U-turn in the park and ride on his way to work in Osney Mead.

He said: "I have never cheated by using the park and ride lane before, but seeing the traffic backed up the slip road, I just couldn't face yet another crawl along Botley Road. I know it is wrong, and if everyone did it the whole system would grind to a halt.

"But sometimes, you just can't face yet another Oxford traffic jam."