Millions of pounds handed over by developers for a new relief road in Witney will not be lost because of delays.

The £4m came from the consortium of developers who built the town's Deer Park estate.

It was supposed to be used within 10 years on a Cogges Link Road - and the expiry date is October this year.

But Oxfordshire County Council's executive member for transport David Robertson, who lives in Witney, said the deadline had been extended to 2013.

He added: "It has been agreed that it could be used for other road schemes necessary to relieve Witney's traffic problems."

"The result is that, with some compensation for the extension of the time limit, we have managed to push the date forward.

"And, though it was initially meant to be spent on the Cogges Link, it has been agreed that it could be used for other road schemes necessary to relieve Witney's traffic problems."