Kiran Kaur wrote: “You were always there for me and always made me laugh. I never got the chance to say thank you. So thank you Ashley for making me a part of your life and being a true friend. I feel truly blessed.”

Priya Dharni wrote: “You were the sweetest guy I knew! I was blessed to know you and will cherish every moment we spent together.”

Leah Atterbury added: “Life’s cruel n takes all the wrong ppl away from us. Ul neva be forgotten, such a handsome, polite, funny, kind n caring person, ur gorgeous smile n beautiful eyes.”

PC Chris Blount, from the force’s Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was a serious collision in which a young man lost his life.

“It’s important we find out exactly what happened by piecing together the moments before the collision and immediately after. To do this, we would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time.”

The road was closed for almost six hours to allow specialist collision reconstruction staff to examine the area.

The taxi was taken away from the area for examination. The 35-year-old driver was questioned over the tragedy. Police said he had not been arrested.

Witnesses should call PC Blount on 0121 322 6098.