Roadworks and buses stopping in the wrong places are causing traffic chaos in Oxford's High Street, according to cabbies who say they are losing business.

Taxi driver Sajjad Malik said taxis were losing money because of the extra time it took to get through the High Street, due to traffic jams caused by buses stopping outside allotted bus stops, and private cars flouting the rules about restricted traffic.

He said: "It's a nightmare - it's complete chaos with buses stopping everywhere. It's a mess.

"What we need is for the buses to move their stops to a less congested area and not stop at all around there.

"It took me half an hour to come up through High Street to the train station, it's causing all the taxi drivers to lose business.

"What's needed is some common sense. Why can't they just stop in Queens Street or somewhere else?

"People drive private cars down there as well, which adds to the problem. The police should clamp down on that."

Haseeb Yaqoob, of City Taxis, said: "It's been causing problems for our drivers, especially in the mornings, when they are taking people into the city or from the train station to the science and industrial parks.

"There's a huge delay of 20-25 minutes. I think it would be more sensible if they stopped in St Aldate's."

Chris Childs, from Stagecoach, said the usual bus stop on the High Street had been moved further down away from the roadworks.

He said: "The bus drivers have been stopping at an allotted spot away from the roadworks. They have not been stopping randomly on the street.

"That's the main stop where most people get off. Problems are often caused by lorries loading and unloading, rather than the buses."

Louis Weeks, operations director for the Oxford Bus Company, said: "We are working hard to keep things moving during the road-works, alongside all the other legitimate road users in the centre of Oxford.

"The current arrangements have been made in consultation with the local authorities and the police to keep disruption to a minimum.

"Buses are the lifeblood of Oxford's economy, about 50 per cent of all journeys to and from the city centre are made by bus.

"We're doing all we can to ensure everyone can get to work or visit the shops and leisure facilities that are so important to the wellbeing of Oxford."

Richard Dix, assistant head of transport at Oxfordshire County Council, said delays were inevitable while the repairs were underway, and asked taxi drivers to be patient.

He said: "We do not agree that the word 'chaotic' accurately describes the situation in the High Street. The traffic management arrangements have been working well."

Mr Dix said private cars using the road was a matter for the police until new regulations come into place giving the council powers to enforce the rules.