A transport study in the Headington and Marston areas of Oxford has lost the backing of residents because it caters for an increase in traffic, according to a county councillor.

Cllr Margaret Godden, of Quarry Ward, said the Headington and Marston Area Transport Strategy, known as HAMATS, had produced a disappointing report.

At an Oxfordshire County Council executive committee meeting, she said: "Headington has a main shopping street totally submerged in traffic. It is an area which should be an exciting place to live in, but is overwhelmed by the sheer amount of traffic.

"HAMATS has not been a successful strategy group. It didn't get a lot of response because people were overwhelmed with the detail they were getting. "The whole strategy has not excited people because it does seem to be catering for the increase in traffic rather than carrying Headington away from the weight of traffic that goes through it."

HAMATS was launched in response to the growing amount of traffic coming to the area because of the hospitals -- the John Radcliffe, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and the Churchill -- and Oxford Brookes University.

A recommended strategy has now been drawn up in draft, following public consultation. It covers 20 main points, including closing Divinity Road and Southfield Road to through traffic.

The executive committee agreed that the draft would now be given to 'key stakeholders', including hospital and university management and residents' associations, for a second consultation. It was agreed the draft should be used as a basis for consultation on planning applications and the Oxford Transport Strategy.