AN ONLINE ticketing system and shuttle bus from Oxford Parkway has been proposed to allay traffic fears over a £150m classic car museum in West Oxfordshire.

Plans to build the museum, a landscaped road to parade classic cars, and holiday lodge community across a 160-acre site have been put forward for Enstone Airfield by American businessman Peter Mullin.

But residents in neighbouring villages have raised concerns over the traffic impact an estimated 208,000 annual visitors may bring to the area.

The firm revealed a pre-booked ticketing system would give visitors a three-hour window between 9.30am and 4.30pm - avoiding rush hour.

The Mullin would also 'actively encourage' visitors to use public transport and run shuttle buses to Charlbury and Oxford Parkway stations.

Speed limits could also be lowered as part of a planned 'traffic forum'.

Sandford St Martin and Ledwell Parish Council said traffic volume was the 'overwhelming' concern of its residents.

Chairman Ian Hames said: "Assurances that visitors will arrive by bus are considered untenable, and not within the power of the museum to control."

It added: "Residents have experienced significant rises in traffic volumes as a result of both the Soho Farmhouse development and more recently the siting of The Grand Tour TV programme at Great Tew Park and Enstone Airfield.

"Local roads have become significantly more dangerous to pedestrians, cyclists, horseriders – and indeed other motorists - in this rural area.

"The further loading of these roads by a large visitor attraction will have a deeply negative effect."

Duns Tew Parish Council echoed those concerns and called for a traffic management plan to ensure the bulk of the traffic was kept away from the villages.

Enstone Parish Council said the roads in the area were 'inadequate' with potholes and roads encroaching onto verges and wouldn't be able to cope with the increase in vehicles.

Steeple Barton Parish Council, which supported the scheme, said after many years trying to prompt police for better enforcement it could be a chance to improve traffic calming measures.

It said: "Whilst we recognise that the Mullin development will increase traffic through the village, it does give us the opportunity to get traffic calming that will impact on existing traffic as well as the traffic generated by the development."

A statement on behalf of The Mullin added: "We are also in very positive dialogue with Oxfordshire County Council regarding setting up a Traffic Forum, which would look at traffic calming measures, lower speed limits and re-establishing footpaths blocked for over 80 years."