County council engineers have apologised to drivers who were unable to get into Oxford's new park-and-ride when it opened on December 10.

Drivers were told by the county council that the new Water Eaton Park-and-Ride near the grain silo site between Oxford and Kidlington, would be open from 7am.

But they were unable to get into the 400-space site until about 9am, because engineers were still laying asphalt for a traffic island at the entrance to the site.

An accident at the Banbury Road roundabout also caused tailbacks, making it difficult for drivers to access the car park.

The first bus left the car park at 9.30am -- but there were only two passengers on board.

Charles Shouler, chairman of the county council, officially opened the new facility at 10am.

Colin Baird, principal engineer with responsibility for Water Eaton, said: "We would like to apologise to the drivers who turned up early to use the park-and-ride and could not get in.

"Some drivers had to sit in a queue because of the accident at the roundabout, and I think a lot of them diverted to Pear Tree Park-and-Ride, so you couldn't say it has been really busy.

"The first four Oxford Bus Company passengers were rewarded with Multirider tickets, which gave them free travel over the coming weeks.

"It will take a little while for custom to build, but we think it will build quite steadily in the run-up to Christmas."

There were further technical problems when lights initially failed to come on inside some buses.

There is free parking at Water Eaton and Thornhill park-and-rides until the New Year, with a return bus fare costing £1.70.

And until December 23, Oxford Bus Company will only charge £1 for a return fare after 5pm, to help Christmas shoppers.

The new low-floor air-conditioned Mercedes Citaro buses at Water Eaton will run every 10 minutes from Monday to Saturday.

The car park is due to be completed early next year with parking spaces doubled to 800.

There will also be a waiting room, toilets, cycle lockers and a security office.