An angry resident living in an Oxford conservation area is refusing to pay council tax because of increasing traffic problems in her narrow lane.

She has told Oxford city and Oxfordshire county council officers that pollution and congestion in the street has worsened because of a lack of road signs during a fortnight of road closures at the Oxford Road, Hollow Way and Between Towns Road junction.

Ginny Stroud-Lewis is one of several residents who have complained about congestion in Salegate Lane, Temple Cowley, over the past three weeks.

She said gas main repairs at the junction had turned Salegate Lane into a 'rat run', as frustrated drivers sought quicker routes.

Mrs Stroud-Lewis added that although diversion signs were now in place, the majority of drivers were ignoring them because they had discovered a more convenient alternative route.

She said: "There has, and continues to be, damage to vehicles, kerbs and, more importantly for residents, damage to the foundations of our properties."

But Andrew Vidovic, the county council's assistant engineer, denied the situation was that bad.

He said: "We have been told by residents in the area that there has been a marked improvement in the situation following our urgent action to place diversion signs.

"We have received one letter from a resident saying that she is still not satisfied.

"We will be in touch with her to seek clarity on the detail of her dissatisfaction."

A spokesman for the city council said: "We have forwarded her concerns to the county council. Unfortunately, people do not have the right to withhold council tax payment."