SCORES of businesses are aiming to join forces to try to solve the chronic congestion problem in Botley Road, Oxford.

Businesses in Botley could soon start staggering start times for employees or forming a car sharing pool in an attempt to cut traffic on the busy route into Oxford.

The ideas were put forward after more than 200 Botley businesses were contacted by organisers of the North Hinksey Parish Plan, who are trying to make the area a better place to live.

Parish plan acting chairman Jenny Barker said: "Congestion is a major problem for Botley and for Oxford and it's increasing year on year.

"I've sat in traffic in Botley Road for long periods and I avoid going to any meetings until after 10am if I can.

"Individually, we can't do a lot, but 200 businesses working together could. There could be lots of people travelling to these different businesses from the same place who could share a car."

Mrs Barker said some businesses had suggested changing start times for workers to stop them getting caught in snarl-ups.

Traffic figures show on average 23,800 vehicles pass over Seacourt Stream every day, but only 16,700 of those cross Osney Bridge into the city.

Jericho and Osney councillor Susanna Pressel said: "Botley Road traffic is very often at a standstill for hours on end, not just at rush hour. We must find a way of reducing it."

An investigation in December last year showed 211 cars in one hour were illegally driving in the bus lane by pretending to use Seacourt park-and-ride, but immediately turning back on to Botley Road.

Firms will discuss the ideas at a business breakfast at Seacourt Hall tomorrow as well as suggestions to increase the number of meeting room facilities, cafés and parks for employees to enjoy in Botley.

Gayle Curry, of Morgan Cole solicitors in West Way, said: "The traffic here has always been pretty bad. Botley is a strong business location and as it grows it is going to continue to get traffic problems.

"I don't bother going into Oxford now on Saturday because I'm not going to sit in traffic for an hour to go shopping. We can always do more to car share and use public transport, but it's difficult to force people to do that."

Rob Evans, business development director of Focus in Seacourt Tower, said: "We're glad we don't work at the other end of Botley Road. Seacourt park-and-ride could be relocated outside the ring road. It does not reduce traffic much because it's already so close to the city."

Ian Hudspeth, county cabinet member for transport, said he was looking to invest £400,000 in electronic traffic information signs around the city - including north and south of Botley Road on the A34 - to tell motorists the least congested way to enter the city. The signs could be in place by March 2009.

He said: "We understand people's problems accessing the city from Botley Road. We're in the process of taking control of the Seacourt park-and-ride and could be running it by the autumn.

"But the availability of land for a park-and-ride would be one of the biggest stumbling blocks if there was the potential to relocate."