Bus and taxi lanes at Didcot's Orchard Centre are an accident waiting to happen, according to one businessman.

Kevin Nicholls, with the white car travelling the wrong way down the road

Kevin Nicholls, owner of HK Chauffeur and Taxi Services, has had several close calls because motorists ignore bus and taxi only signs.

His wife Heike and son Simon have also had to take evasive action driving taxis down High Street.

Mr Nicholls said passengers were left terrified last week when his son narrowly avoided a head on collision with a car travelling the wrong way up the road.

Mr Nicholls said: "People are not obeying the Highway Code when they see the bus and taxi only signs."

He said the problem was made increasingly dangerous with motorists coming from the Broadway using the right hand lane believing it is for other vehicles.

"People can turn in from the Broadway and go as far as the car park on the right, the road beyond that is for taxis and buses coming in and out," he said.

"People just do not bother, they do not know the Highway Code. There are signs up saying buses and taxis only, it has it written on the road but they do not read it.

"People are going down the road the wrong way, God knows what their insurance would be."

Mr Nicholls said the only way to avoid a serious accident was to enforce the restrictions or remove them altogether.

"If I was to go down a bus or taxi lane in London in an ordinary car I would get fined," he added.

County councillor David Robertson, the cabinet member responsible for transport, said: "It is disappointing that drivers are being irresponsible in this way but it is a police enforcement issue unlike Oxford city where we are waiting for legislation to use cameras in bus lanes.

"We would encourage the police to make their presence known to stop drivers being irresponsible."

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "We advise motorists to take notice and obey traffic signs for their safety and others. Failing to comply with this could result in a heavy fine."