HIGHWAYS bosses last night defended their role in trying to prevent long queues on the A34 yesterday.

traffic was backed up for nearly 10 miles after the A34 southbound was closed for six hours between the Chilton Interchange and junction 13 of the M4.

Chauffeur company boss Nathan Thomas, of Enslow near Kidlington, said: “Making drivers more aware of it was probably a sensible thing to do.”

The closure was caused by a crash between two lorries at 2.30am, which also led to a diesel spill.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: “We provided information to traffic and travel media from the early hours. We provide information directly to the public in a variety of ways, including via our website, iPhone app, and message signs on the road."