HUNDREDS of drivers have been caught in motorway tailbacks up to 15-miles long for three consecutive mornings as roads managers argue about the reason.

The lengthy tailbacks on the southbound carriageway have stretched from junction 9 of the M40 at Bicester all the way back to Banbury.

Highways Agency managers insist the traffic lights at junction nine are not responsible for the hold-ups, and point to roadworks on the A41 between Bicester and the M40 as the reason for the delays.

But county council highways managers say the lights have been malfunctioning and are responsible for the traffic jam.

Martin Dellar, a spokesman for the Highways Agency, said: "A team of engineers have checked the phasing of the lights and have confirmed that they are working properly. The lights were checked but they are working fine.

"Traffic was heavy on the A41 between Bicester and the M40 where it is down to one lane at the moment because of county council roadworks.

"There were no accidents in the area which would have contributed to the hold-ups.

"Our contractor, UK Highways, which looks after the M40 on our behalf, has reported tailbacks of up to 15 miles every day this week, and it must be hugely frustrating for drivers. The roadworks on the A41 are a major contributing factor."

David Robertson, the county council's cabinet member for highways, said: "Our own engineers have reported back to us that the lights on the roundabout at junction nine were out on Tuesday, and that was causing a major problem for drivers. They say the traffic on the A41 is not being contributing to any tailbacks.

"Traffic is down to one lane on the A41 between junction nine and the Tesco roundabout in Bicester for resurfacing work and we are introducing a convoy system to slow traffic, which protects staff working on the highway. The work is due to be completed by Sunday.

"I will make sure that our engineers have detailed talks with the Highways Ageny staff so that between us we can solve the problem and ensure that drivers do not suffer lengthy delays on their way to work."