Fears have been expressed that the first stages of Abingdon's new £56m transport strategy could increase traffic problems in outlying parts of the town and neighbouring villages.

Vale of White Horse District councillors are to press Oxfordshire County Council to start traffic calming measures before the first stage of the ten-to-15-year project enters its first phase next year.

At the council's annual meeting, Conservative members expressed concerns that some neighbouring villages might suffer increased traffic as the scheme gets under way.

Cllr David Calvert, from Shippon, said: "Although there is a wide measure of agreement between the political parties over the transport strategy, Conservatives still had concerns over some aspects."

Vale leader, Cllr Paul Bizzell, said the council would process for a continual programme of monitoring while the work was being carried out and would consult residents and businesses. Comments and observations from the consultations would be used to influence the remainder of the work.

In the autumn, a series of minor measures gets under way before work starts next year on more comprehensive and far-reaching changes to the town's road network.

This phase will take five years to complete. Longer term proposals include a park and ride bus scheme and one or two new river crossings.

In the autumn a series of minor measures get underway. More than £300,000 has been earmarked for new crossings near the Marcham Road hospital, at Tesco's and in Preston Road. A new parking scheme on the Fitzharry's estate will be implemented, along with a footway and cycle path along Twelve Acre Drive and in Colwell Drive. A right-turn lane will be built into the shops on Peachcroft.

From next year, more far-reaching changes - taking five years - will start, including making Stratton Way two-way. Stert Street and High Street will be narrowed into single lanes.

The double roundabouts at Marcham Road/Drayton Road, Ock Street/ Spring Road will have lights and there will be a series of new junctions in north Abingdon controlled by lights.

Longer term proposals include a park and ride bus scheme and one or two new river crossings costing £25m each at today's prices. During the work traffic is to be monitored in neighbouring villages.

During the work traffic is to be monitored in neighbouring villages.