And chiefs at Bucks County Council have warned that this transport nightmare is a best-case scenario, which could be a lot worse if road improvement works do not go ahead.

Critics slammed planning chiefs for taking huge risks with Aylesbury's future at heated meetings over plans to build 10,000 new homes in the east.

Planning inspector Geoff Salter heard that serious question marks still remained over Aylesbury Vale District Council's core strategy, which proposes focusing development in the east by 2026.

Among the concerns raised were that roads would be unable to cope with the sudden influx of new residents, and that the sites currently under consideration would pose a huge flood risk.

On Thursday Mr Salter was told that Aylesbury urgently needed an Eastern Link Road, but critical developers say the need for the road has yet to be proved.

The county council claims the road, pictured on the map opposite, could save a staggering 7,000 hours in queues each day, and would lead to a 10 per cent drop in journey times as Aylesbury's population rockets.

Among the groups in favour of an Eastern Link Road is Broughton with Bierton Parish Council, which says it is needed regardless of whether housing focuses in the east.

For a special report on the planning inquiry, see this week's Bucks Herald, on sale now.

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