AN 'IMMEDIATE' review of safety on the A34 could begin in weeks, the Government announced today.

After calls from MPs and campaign groups in Oxfordshire, Roads Minister John Hayes confirmed the study would be done during a debate in Parliament.

The debate was organised by Wantage MP Ed Vaizey, who told the minister and colleagues that the trunk road, which carries almost 80,000 vehicles a day, was dangerous and 'not fit for purpose'.

He added: "Action is long overdue, and the need to urgently improve road safety alone would justify a significant investment of money and time from the Department for Transport and Highways England.

"It is a dangerous road. And it is no longer fit for purpose because the delays and accidents that happen regularly are having a significant economic impact on one of the most economically productive areas of the country."

His comments were echoed by Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, who said: "Highways England intends to start work by March 2020 and [the minister's] department is not minded to carry out a further review of the route at this time.

"I have to say that simply isn’t good enough. Measures need to be started now if the risk of further accidents is to be reduced, and there needs to be a major review of the whole route".

A fresh outcry over safety on the A34 erupted in August, when a multi-vehicle pile-up at Hinksey Hill injured 13 people – including three-year-old Isla Wiggin, who died in hospital.

In another crash just two weeks earlier at East Ilsley, Tracy Houghton, her sons Ethan, 13, and Josh, 11, and her partner’s 11-year-old daughter Amiee Goldsmith, from Bedfordshire, died in an eight-vehicle crash. Twelve others were injured. 

Responding to concerns raised in today's debate, Mr Hayes told MPs: "I offer my condolences and sympathies to those affected by those dreadful events. 

"But although sympathy matters, support matters more. And it is really important for those people and others that we show support.

"I think Disraeli said, 'Justice is truth in action' and we need action.

"I have been thinking about this for some time and feel we do need to look at safety on the A34."

The minister also promised 'a round table meeting' on November 22 involving activists, MPs and Highways England, saying 'urgent work' on the road before 2020 could include new gantries, electric signs and speed cameras.

The pledge was welcomed by A34 Action Group spokeswoman Cathryn Millward. But she said: "Too many people have died on this road and we cannot rest on our laurels.

"The number of deaths is shocking and we need to have a plan that does something right now."

The review was also supported by Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth, who said he was 'delighted'.

Mr Hudspeth added: "As a key transport artery through Oxfordshire, we believe that the safety concerns and capacity issues of the A34 need to be addressed urgently to mitigate the serious and all too often tragic accidents that have occurred."