Highways managers are continuing to press the Government for camera enforcement in Oxford's High Street.

Private cars are banned from driving through the bus gates in the city - like those in Oxford High Street - but many do because there is no permanent enforcement.

Camera enforcement in a number of key city centre streets, for which County Hall has pledged £200,000, depends on changes to current legislation.

As the law stands, the traffic Management Act 2004 says the county council cannot use photographic evidence in cases where drivers have ignored regulations.

Highways managers had hoped they would be able to enforce Oxford Transport Strategy regulations introduced in 1999 as early as next month.

But David Robertson, executive member for transport, said there was no sign that the Government would meet the June target. He added: "I'm now a member of the Local Government Transport Advisory Task Force and I will lobby Transport Secretary Alistair Darling on this.

"We've tried embarrassing the Government but nothing seems to work. There's no sign the legislation will be in place in June and I haven't a clue when it will be."

Last year, Nigel Eggleton, commercial director for Oxford Bus Company, complained that bus drivers were being delayed because at times, 50 per cent of traffic in High Street was illegal.

A spokesman for the Department of Transport said the new legislation should come into force this summer but could not give a specific date.

The permanent camera enforcement of Oxford's bus lanes forms part of a £40m package of transport improvements approved by Oxfordshire County Council.

The plan is to install discreet cameras in Magdalen Street, High Street, George Street and Castle Street, while Botley Road and the Green Road and Cutteslowe roundabouts are obvious choices for cameras to patrol bus lanes.

The cameras will be largely funded by Government money.

Thames Valley Police conduct spot-checks in the city centre and drivers caught using the High Street between 7.30am and 6.30pm are given £30 fixed penalties.

The total cost of the transport schemes -- the majority of which will be maintenance work -- to be carried out by March next year is £39.6m, the largest amount which has ever been approved by the county council.

In addition to camera enforcement, the highways department is planning a £400,000 resurfacing scheme for High Street to be carried out in 2006.

Mr Robertson said: "We have resurfaced Cornmarket and George Street and a major programme is also under way on Cowley Road, so carrying out a maintenance programme for the High Street is the logical next step."

Brian Fell, assistant head of transport and highway management, said the daytime traffic ban would remain in place while the work was being carried out.

He added: "The architecture in the High Street deserves a scheme that will enhance it.

"We were going to carry out a very basic scheme early in 2006 but the work may be put back a bit as we want everyone to be properly consulted over this, including OX1, the business organisation."