A scheme to build a bypass around Marcham, which was first mooted 70-years ago, has been named the most delayed project in the country.

A variety of reasons, ranging from the outbreak of the Second World War, post-war austerity, changes of Government and spending cuts have caused the bypass to become an elusive dream.

The Times newspaper has researched 10 major projects in the country that have been delayed and Marcham occupies top spot.

The bypass scheme went into reverse gear again earlier this year following a decision by the South East of England Regional Assembly (Seera) not to support the project, the estimated cost of which has rocketed to £13m from £5m three years ago.

But Marcham Parish Council, the Vale of White Horse District Council, residents and local MP Ed Vaizey are urging Oxfordshire County Council to continue backing the scheme.

More than 12,000 vehicles a day pass through Marcham and its predicted that traffic on the A415 Abingdon-Witney road will increase as an alternative to the A34 and A40.

Assistant director of planning at the Vale, Roger Hood said: "Seera's move was a great disappointment but the Vale will be urging the county council to press on with the planning application in the hope that if funds were to become available then this scheme would be well placed should the Department for Transport need an alternative project."

Parish council chairman William Cumber said: "It's badly needed and an essential part of an improved A415.

"All we can do is keep plugging away in the hope of a breakthrough."

Wantage MP Mr Vaizey said it is needed as demands on the area's roads grow.

He added: "There is a lot of development planned in the area - a reservoir, thousands of new homes in Grove and Didcot and new businesses."

Also angry at the delay is new village action group Plags (Packhorse Lane Action Group for Safety) which is calling for improved safety on the notorious S-bend at Packhorse Lane.

But the county council's highways department says the road does not have a bad accident record and improvements would not be considered a priority.