Oxfordshire campaigners issue fresh calls for safety measures following killer crash on A34

Motorists and politicians repeated demands for lower speed limits and better provisions for lorries on the county's major trunk road, following the tragic deaths of a family as they headed home from a camping holiday.

Tracy Houghton, her sons Ethan, 13, and Josh, 11, and her partner's 11-year-old daughter Amiee Goldsmith, were named yesterday as the victims of an eight-vehicle crash at East Ilsley, close to the Oxfordshire border at Chilton, on Wednesday evening.

The 45-year-old's partner Mark Goldsmith was also involved in the crash between four lorries and four cars, as he drove in convoy with his 13-year-old son Jake. He suffered whiplash and a broken rib

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood, who has lobbied for improvements to the A34 for years, said it was essential to act quickly to save lives.

She said: "We hear of tragic accidents all too often.

"In my time as an MP I have battled with successive roads ministers, including the Chancellor, to get these improvements to the A34."

She said the work at Milton Interchange, near Didcot, and Hinksey Hill, near Oxford, along with planned improvements at Oxford's Botley and Pear Tree junctions would make a difference, but insisted that long-term solutions must be found.

Those solutions could be set out in a feasibility study that is due to be released by the Government this autumn, after it pledged £50m in 2014 to improve the A34.

She added: "I am fighting to have this brought forward as a matter of urgency."

Twelve other people were injured in the A34 crash, as well as the Bedfordshire family, including one who was airlifted to the John Radcliffe in a life-threatening condition.

Emergency services, including six ambulances and two air ambulances, rushed to the scene just after 5pm.

Police later arrested a 30-year-old man from Andover on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, who was bailed until October 5.

Thames Valley Police's Chief Constable Francis Habgood described the crash as "truly awful". Mrs Houghton's mother Jo Smith yesterday said Mr Goldsmith was "in bits".

A spokeswoman for Central Bedfordshire Council said: "This terrible news has come as a great shock to everyone who knew Tracy, who worked within our financial services team based in Dunstable.

"Tracy worked directly with our customers and was a dedicated and highly professional member of staff."

Her team leader, Gary Muskett, said: "Tracy was a hugely likeable and bubbly person who was much admired by her colleagues, many of whom saw her also as a dear friend.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with her family."

Outside Ms Houghton's home a woman came to lay flowers accompanied by her daughter.

A tribute, addressed to "Ethan and family", said: "Going to miss you all!"

The woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they were a "lovely family".

"There's not a lot I can say really, apart from they shouldn't have been taken at all," she said.

"They should not have been taken, they were just such a lovely family and I believe the boyfriend was following and so the other son saw his sister die.

"They were just such a lovely family. The boy had this heart of gold. And so did the mother, she was amazing."

Tributes left outside the family home. Credit: PA Wire

The tragedy comes 10 years after a family of four from Staffordshire were killed on the same stretch of road, when a lorry driver fell asleep behind the wheel, causing a seven-car crash.

Oxfordshire County Council last year asked the government for permission to ban lorry drivers from overtaking on the dual carriageway and also proposed building a lorry park to help drivers avoid fatigue on long journeys.

Councillor Bob Johnston, who sits on the council’s transport advisory panel, said: “I have huge concerns about the A34. It is overloaded, it’s right at capacity and I don’t think the drivers drive with due concern for the actual conditions. It’s very common to see them driving far too close.

“A lorry park would enable drivers to have the break they need. The parking laybys are also very short which means drivers are pulling out very slowly – speed mismatch causes a potent sort of accident.”

He said the council was still pursuing a plan to force lorries to stick to the inside lane, but admitted the proposal faced backlash from the Road Haulage Association.

Chrys Rampley, a spokesman for the association, said: “Putting in an overtaking ban is not really addressing the problem.

“The A34 as a whole has always needed to be upgraded; it’s a major road and needs to be improved. In that particular uphill section where it happened we have campaigned for a crawler lane to be put in.

“Parking is generally an issue on the road. When the lorries pull out it creates bunching and is a safety hazard. Trying to exit on a two-lane road is quite difficult, and they are pulling off at a lower speed.”

Meg Williamson, whose 28-year-old boyfriend Gavin Roberts was killed in a crash on the same stretch of the A34 in June, has received more than 900 signatures on her petition to implement a 50mph speed limit and cameras on the road.

The teacher, who lives near Swindon, said: "Waking up to this report has sickened me and I know exactly how the families and friends will be feeling. This has gone too far. Too many injuries and lives lost and not enough being done.

"Reducing speed limits will allow more reaction time, lorries to travel safely in the lanes and allow traffic to join the flow."

Highways England, which manages the road and is responsible for implementing changes, said: “Safety is at the core of everything we do and we will assist the police with their investigations into what caused the collision.

"While that investigation continues it would be inappropriate to comment or speculate on the possible causes.”

The road was gridlocked both ways following the crash and the northbound carriageway did not reopen until yesterday morning.

Police have asked anyone who witnessed the collision to call 101 and quote reference number 1109 10/8.