Highways chiefs were last night forced to admit their £3.1m scheme to ease traffic problems in Abingdon is not working.

Traders have reacted angrily to findings of an independent report, comissioned by Oxfordhsire County Council, which points to shortcomings in the Abingdon Integrated Traffic Strategy (Abits).

Thousands of drivers have endured traffic jams in the town centre, while businesses say trade has slumped because of problems with the new system.

The county council, which is behind the project and called for the review, insists only minor changes are needed to make it work and says it is not "burying its head in the sand".

But critics of the strategy, which has been in the pipeline for more than a decade, say it is time for a rethink. Taxi driver Peter Warren, 60, said: "I think it's absolutely disgusting all the money they have thrown into it and now to say it doesn't work.

"People do not bother to get a taxi as by the time you get into the main lane of traffic, they could have walked faster, even with a pushchair."

Major alterations to the town centre traffic system included changing Stratton Way from one-way to two-way traffic and changes to traffic lights on Bridge Street.

But inspectors, who based their report on a visit to the town on Friday, May 16, as well as CCTV footage, found traffic backed up in Ock Street from the west and in the Vineyard from the north. And although the scheme cut the number of vehicles in the town centre it probably caused delays elsewhere.

Michael Hocken, who lives in East St Helen Street in the town centre, attended a meeting to discuss the plan yesterday.

He said: "I do not believe tweaking it is going to make a difference, I think it is going to take a more radical rethink. They need to be bolder."

Market trader Culdip Singh, 52, said: "Abits has had a major effect on the market stalls and shops.

"All of the shops have become empty and all you see now in the morning is the traffic and it's because of the system - the High Street is dead now."

Ian Hudspeth, county council cabinet member for transport, said only "minor tweaks" were needed to improve traffic.

He said: "There have obviously been some shortcomings in the system and the perception of what the public wanted, but hopefully we can introduce these measures and we will see an improvement in the scheme.

"The county council is working to improve the situation and we are not burying our heads in the sand."

The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday, July 1, when recommendations to improve the scheme will be discussed.

Councillors will also be given a report about a second consultation of the system, paid for by businesses in the area.

Recommendations outlined in the report included changing the traffic lights at the junction of Stratton Way and Ock Street.

A sensor may also have to be moved in Stratton Way as deliveries to the Post Office could be interfering with the traffic light system.