Call for road safety improvements after motorcyclist's death

Roddy Ashworth

CALLS have been made for safety improvements to an Essex road after a motorcyclist was killed in a single-vehicle crash.

Jonathan Allchin, 28, from Anerly in London, died after his machine left Blake End Road, Great Saling, and ploughed into land nearby.

His body was only discovered after a lorry driver spotted his bike in a field next to the road.

The HGV driver saw the green Suzuki motor cycle on Monday morning and alerted emergency services.

Police say they do not know exactly when the crash happened but they believe it was probably on Sunday night.

Yesterday, John Maidman, chairman of Great Saling Parish Council, said the road was regarded as dangerous by locals because it had tight bends and was outside the village's 30mph zone.

“It is known locally for problems. A number of people have been killed in the last couple of years,” he said.

“I think the main reason is there are two or three straight stretches of road linked up by some tight Z-bends.

“There is one particular curving bend that sharpens up as you are heading away from the village.

“However, it is outside the village speed limit and I'm afraid some people do drive too fast.

“We will continue pushing the police and the Essex County Council highways department to look at ways of slowing the traffic down.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We were sorry to hear of this tragic accident, and our thoughts are with the family of the victim of this time.

“As with any fatal accident, Essex County Council will be carrying out a full investigation at the scene to see if there are areas where road safety needs to be improved, and these will be implemented if necessary.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the accident, or Mr Allchin's movements in the hours preceding it, to contact them at Dunmow Road Policing Unit on 0300 333 4444, where the officer in charge of the accident investigation is Pc Jason Howard.