WEST Oxfordshire District Council has refused to back a new investigation into congestion at Swinford toll bridge.

Last week, councillors rejected a motion for the county council, Department for Transport, and Witney MP David Cameron to discuss what can be done to cut the long queues caused by the 5p toll charge. Council leader, Barry Norton, said the motion was out of date, as he had already talked to the county council to try to find ways of easing congestion, as had Mr Cameron.

After the meeting, he said: "Personally, I am in favour of the toll being done away with, as it can't help matters.

"But I am conscious this could cause a greater amount of traffic to use the bridge, and could bring other problems, which need to be thought through carefully. I understand the county council is looking at this."

An amended motion to encourage the county council to progress plans to ease the flow of traffic through the Eynsham corridor was passed.

More than 10,000 cars use the bridge every day, and long tailbacks are caused by people paying their toll.

Councillors David Rossiter and Brenda Smith had called for action to be taken to find an alternative to the toll system.

Mr Rossiter believed the toll should be scrapped completely.

He said: "I'm very disappointed. I feel like the motion was highjacked completely, and the amended motion is a completely watered-down version. We wanted to open this and start a dialogue, without any political element.

"I will not be letting it go and taking this as a stone wall. I was heartened by what Mr Cameron has said, and talked to him about what can be done.

"Barry Norton seems to think that the county council has the matter in hand. Perhaps he should speak to a few of the thousands of people frustrated by these unnecessary daily delays.

"I just hope the county council realises the way they are approaching it at the moment is not going to solve the problem."

Eynsham residents, infuriated by the constant delays at the bridge and the exhaust fumes, have started a petition against the tolls.

Jane Tomlinson, 43, of Newland Close, began an online petition, which already has 117 signatures.

She said: "There are thousands of people who are fed up with queuing at the bridge every morning. I feel we are completely unrepresented by councillors who are too lazy to do anything because it is too difficult.

"It's not like the bird flu or global warming. It's a simple political solution, and they should stop pussyfooting around.

"Anyone who says paying the toll doesn't cause the delay is wrong.

"I watched for 20 minutes, and saw how stopping and handing over a coin makes a huge difference."

"I will keep applying the pressure, and hope more people will keep signing the petition."

Mrs Tomlinson is to meet county council member for transport, David Robertson, to discuss her concerns.

To sign Mrs Tomlinson's online petition, visit www.petitiononline.com/SwTollBr/petition.html. She has a blog, which can be found at www.janetomlinson.com/journal