THE father of Liberty Baker, the schoolgirl killed in a collision while walking to school, has called for more 20mph zones.

Paul Baker, whose daughter Liberty, 14, died last June in Witney, spoke as new figures showed 27 people were killed on Oxfordshire's roads last year.

It was an increase from 2013 when 19 people were killed but that was a 40-year low. In 2012, 28 people died.

Police said there was a rise in the numbers of pedestrians, cyclists, car passengers and drivers killed, but in fatalities amongst motorcyclists and van drivers.

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In total there were 2,173 crashes in 2014, up from 1,962 in 2013, with 345 of them resulting in a serious injury.

Mr Baker, 46, said: "There needs to be more 20mph zones in busy areas, especially around schools like Henry Box.

"If people stuck to the rules of the road it would be much better."

Lea Perry's 10-year-old son Freddie was killed after he was hit by a car in Oxford Crescent, Didcot, in September 2013, although the driver was absolved of any blame.

The Freddie Perry Foundation was set up by Mr Perry and wife Judith in a bid to raise money for road safety schemes.

Mr Perry said: "Lots can be done but Oxfordshire County Council haven't got the money. "

County council board member for transport David Nimmo Smith said: "While the general trend over the last 30 years has been a reduction from over 90 annually, any fatality is regrettable."

County council spokesman Paul Smith said: "The 2014 statistics need to be seen in the context of figures going back to 1974 with significant declines in deaths on Oxfordshire's roads throughout the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. The 2014 figure is very similar to those recorded in 2011 and 2012."

Witney MP and Prime Minister David Cameron said: "At a time when the total number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads is continuing to fall, these are tragic cases."

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: "Every effort must be made to analyse the causes in each case and where possible take action to try and avoid it happening again."

Robert Blackwell, 19, is due to go on trial for causing death by dangerous driving in relation to Liberty Baker's death.

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