A businessman has launched a £10,000 survey of Abingdon's controversial traffic scheme after blaming it for a cut in trade.

Businessman Steve King, who owns properties in the town, is leading the campaign to get the changes scrapped.

He said: "I have taken it upon myself to bring to the attention of the appropriate authorities the problems the new traffic system is causing, not just to the residents of Abingdon and neighbouring villages but also the business community.

"The majority of them have seen a massive downturn in their trade since its introduction."

Mr King has already gathered a 200-strong petition from traders calling for the one-way town centre traffic system to be restored.

And he instructed an independent traffic management consultancy to survey the new system this week.

He hopes to have the results in time to present them at an Oxfordshire County Council meeting on Tuesday.

Mr King is appealing to local businesses to help fund the survey, which could cost £10,000.

The new system has been blamed by traders for a marked decline in visitors to the town.

Shopkeepers say business is down by a third.

About 20 shops are currently vacant in the town centre, including Stead and Simpson, in Bury Street, which closed on Monday.

Robert Boorman, who lives in Abingdon, would like to see a residents' petition to add to the voice of the traders.

He said: "The town is being destroyed by the incompetence of the council and it will be made worse by the development of the Old Gaol. It's just an unmitigated disaster."

He called on "rational people" in the town to get together in a concerted effort to make the county council implement changes.

Mr King, who can be contacted by email at action4abingdon@btopenworld.com, has set up an online forum for residents to chat about the town's issues.

To take part, log on at www.action4abingdon.org Ian Hudspeth, the county council's cabinet member for transport, said the traffic system was constantly being reviewed.

He said: "Abingdon is a market town that, in common with many in England, was not designed to cope with the amount of traffic that is now on our roads.

"It must be remembered that the town suffered traffic problems before the new system came into being and there is no magic wand to change that situation.

"The county council was supported by the Vale of White Horse District Council and Abingdon Town Council in implementing the current system."

He added: "The county council is itself constantly reviewing the situation in Abingdon.

"The location of the Bridge Street traffic lights is due to change soon and this also needs to be taken into account."

Mr Hudspeth added: "Obviously we will be keen to study the results of the independent review."