A WINCHESTER MP has joined the growing campaign to make the A34 safer.

Steve Brine joined a group of MPs who represent constituencies along the A34 as they debated safety on the road in Parliament.

It comes after Andover lorry driver Tomasz Kroker was jailed for 10 years for causing death by dangerous driving after ploughing into stationary vehicles on the A34 while he was looking for music on his mobile.

The crash killed Tracy Houghton, 45, her sons Ethan Houghton, 13, Josh Houghton, 11 and stepdaughter Aimee Goldsmith,11, and crushed their car to a third of its size.

(Tomasz Kroker, pictured below) 

Hampshire Chronicle:

Earlier this year Isla Wiggin,3, from Fleet and her unborn brother died on the road which goes from the north of Winchester and ends just south of Bicester.

The road itself, has been the focus of safety campaigns for several years, but now it has stepped up a gear.

The debate acknowledged the economic importance of the A34, used by 79,000 vehicles each day, but said major improvements were needed as the road was no longer ‘fit for purpose’.

Steve Brine said: “I know many of my constituents use the A34 on a regular basis, and they will not be surprised to learn that there were nearly 2,000 accidents between 2010 and 2014, and on the section running between the M40 and the M4 at Chieveley, there were sadly 32 fatalities.

“There are often very troublesome delays, alongside issues around Bullington Cross just past Sutton Scotney, with a number of accidents there.”

Transport Minister John Hayes was present in the debate, and he acknowledged that the A34 has been of concern for a considerable length of time, with topography issues and the number of HGVs moving north from the Port of Southampton.

Steve Brine added: “We are at the very early stages here, but I am very pleased that the government has committed to meeting us formally to explore further technical changes we can make to improve safely and congestion. I am personally due to meet with the local A34 campaign group shortly, and very much look forward to being able to contribute to this much-needed, and very complex, piece of work in the coming months.”

Mr Brine is also calling for evidence from constituents who use the road, and local people who wish to help can email steve.brine.mp@parliament.uk