A Park-and-ride scheme and a new bus interchange on a redeveloped multi-storey car park site are included in the latest proposals for Abingdon's new transport strategy, which will take shape during the next ten to 15 years.

After four years of planning and consultation, transport consultants Halcrow Fox have presented their final proposals for reshaping the town's road infrastructure to tackle increasing volumes of traffic and con- gestion.

The steering group, which is made up of county, district and town councillors, will take back the consultants' proposals and their own recommendations for further debate before a final draft is approved in the summer.

Among new suggestions to be revealed include two park-and-ride sites for 150 cars each at Rye Farm and on the Tesco site. These, together with a north-bound bus lane in Drayton Road, would cost £2.1m.

The park-and-ride system, new south slip roads for the A34 at Lodge Hill and Drayton costing £7m each and two new river crossings in the east and south at £35m each are earmarked for the long-term. Liberal Democrats on the steering group won all-party support for a plan to redevelop the multi-storey car park off Stert Street as the site for a new bus interchange to remove buses from High Street.

A short-term measure for a bus interchange would be in Queen Street.

It is proposed to turn Stratton Way into two-way traffic and reduce Stert Street and High Street into single-lane highways within the next 18 months.

Already £330,000 has been earmarked by the county council for an early batch of improvements later this year.

They include a new crossing near the Marcham Road hospital, improved bus stops and a new parking scheme on the Fitz- harry's estate.

It is proposed to convert the double mini-roundabout at Marcham Road-Drayton Road-Ock Street-Spring Road to be controlled by traffic lights.

Measures over the next two to three years will cost £5m, but the package is put at £56m.