Labour councillor Barbara Gatehouse will today (June 21) call for crash barriers to be installed without delay on Oxford's Eastern Bypass.

Pressure has been mounting on the county council to install barriers on the section of road where four people died in a fatal smash on May 28.

The council had not put in barriers at the scene of the crash because of the low number of accidents involving cars crossing the central reservation.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the council pledged to review the lack of barriers but at today's county council meeting Mrs Gatehouse will call for their immediate installation.

The motion says: "This council is shocked and horrified at the tragic loss of young lives and horrific injuries incurred in the recent accident on Oxford's Eastern Bypass.

"This council sends the heartfelt condolences of all members to the families and friends of all the victims of the accident and resolves to request the Cabinet to arrange for the installation of a central barrier on the stretch of road concerned, without delay."

Mrs Gatehouse, Labour county councillor for Blackbird Leys and Lye Valley, said: "People don't care about the accident statistics -- they just want action now."

Mrs Gatehouse's call for barriers follows a visit to the site by crash survivors, the relatives of victims and their friends on Sundayto see tributes left by the roadside. The cards, flowers and and messages are set to be removed this week.

David Robertson, the cabinet member for transport and deputy leader of the council, was still considering his response to the motion last night and could table his own amendment.

He said: "If the motion is agreed, then the Cabinet will have to take it very seriously."

He added that it would be wrong of the council to make its decision based on the number of people "clamouring" for action to be taken, without targeting funding in the best way possible to reduce future accidents.

The accident happened when a Citroen Xsara crossed the grass-covered central reservation near the dual carriageway's junction with The Slade and collided with another vehicle.

Oxford Community School pupils Liam Hastings and Josh Bartlett, both 13, lost their lives, together with Peers Community College pupil Marshall Haynes, 13, and Howard Hillsdon, 21.