Police yesterday defended themselves after complaints from frustrated drivers over the long tailbacks which built up after a series of crashes on the A34 on Friday.

Drivers were stuck in traffic jams for up to four hours after the accidents, which included the death of a male pedestrian on the northbound carriageway near Chilton.

The man, who has not yet been formally identified, was declared dead at the scene.

The incidents took place between the Berkshire border, south of Chilton, up the junction with the M40 at Wendlebury, near Bicester, almost 30 miles away.

On Friday, police spokesman Tim Prince described the situation as "chaotic, with Abingdon gridlocked and all roads around the A34 very busy".

Carl Williams, who was travelling with his family from Leamington Spa to Bognor Regis, moved just two-and-a-half miles in three-and-a-half hours.

He said: "We were bored out of our brains and there was sweet FA on the radio about it."

Insp Steve Bridges, of the Abingdon trafffic unit, said the main complaint from drivers caught up in the chaos was that they had not received enough advice on how to avoid the problems.

He said: "When we're called to the scene of a collision, we form a traffic link, which alerts the local radio station of the incident.

"This is done as soon as possible."