Traders are calling for fines generated by bus gates in Oxford High Street to be used to help pay for repairs to the road.

Each end of the street has now been resurfaced but the central section still needs to be repaired.

In the 12 months since March last year, when the cameras were introduced to stop drivers flouting the daytime traffic ban, drivers have been fined a total of £665,000.

David Marcus, manager of Reginald Davies jewellers in High Street, said: "This is the most famous high street in the country. The latest we have heard is that the council might patch up the central section and then do something more ambitious next year.

"I think £655,000 is a ridiculous amount of money and some of that cash could be invested in repairs for the High Street."

In March, plans to improve High Street, between Turl and Longwall streets, with paving stones, new bays and pavement widening, were dropped following a £13m shortfall in maintenance cash provided by the Government.

Traders and city councillors say the county council could use the bus gate fines revenue to help pay for the renovation project.

Mr Marcus, also treasurer of the Oxford High Street Business Association, added: "There is quite a large pothole in the road near my shop. I reported it to the council three weeks ago but nothing has been done.

"Cyclists are often forced to avoid it and this is an accident waiting to happen.

"The council needs to think about safety first and foremost and then deal with the aesthetics afterwards.

"The council has promised to de-clutter the High Street but they have filled it with horrible signs trying to enforce the bus gate."

Liberal Democrat city councillor Jean Fooks said it "would make sense" for bus gate fines to be invested in repairs for the High Street's central section.

Graham Jones, chairman of the business association, added: "The central section of the High Street, with its famous curve, should not be short-changed, and it could make sense to invest the bus gate money on this project."

He added that Ian Hudspeth, the county council's cabinet member for transport, has promised to hold a meeting for all High Street traders.

Mr Hudspeth said bus gate fines were earmarked for "environmental enhancement" and added that there was no reason why some of the money could not be spent on repairing the High Street.

The call for fines to be spent on repairs came after city councillors demanded more of a say in transport matters affecting Oxford.

The council is reluctant to hand over control of its park-and-rides to the county council unless it is guaranteed a bigger say in traffic management The county council has agreed to set up a traffic liaison committee.