ONE of England’s most dangerous A-roads has claimed another victim – despite a costly package of safety measures last year.

A man from Keighley tragically lost his life at the scene of a crash involving a motorbike and a car on the A6033 in Oxenhope on Tuesday night.

Only last year the road was highlighted by the Road Safety Foundation as being in the top 50 of ‘A’ roads in England where the risk of traffic incidents resulting in death or serious injury is the highest.

Councillors expressed their shock at the death and said they awaited the outcome of an investigation to see whether further safety work may be needed.

Police said emergency services were called at around 7.55pm to reports of a serious road traffic collision on Hebden Bridge Road.

A black and green Kawasaki motorcycle and a white Volkswagen Polo collided close to the Waggon and Horses public house.

The rider of the bike, a 38-year-old man, sadly passed away.

After receiving a call just before 8pm, Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) dispatched an air ambulance, two rapid response vehicles and an ambulance.

The incident forced the road to be closed in both directions.

Worth Valley Councillors Russell Brown and Rebecca Poulsen sent out their sympathies to the family of the man who died and thanked the emergency services for dealing with the incident so quickly.

Cllr Poulsen said: “It is incredibly sad news that Tuesday night’s crash has led to the death of the motorcyclist.

“My thoughts go out to his family and friends and to all of those involved in the accident.

“There was a huge response by emergency services, including the air ambulance, and my thanks go out to all of them who had to deal with a tragic situation.

“There will clearly be an investigation now to determine the cause of the accident and I would ask anyone who witnessed it or has footage to contact the police.”

Cllr Brown added: “Anything like this is a tragedy for all involved, especially to the family of the poor man.

“There is potentially a family without a father or a son or a brother or an uncle.

“It is just a tragic accident. There will be a family somewhere that is crushed and heartbroken.”

Ironically, the road has recently undergone a costly safety upgrade designed to reduce the chance of an accident.

Calderdale Council successfully secured £1.4m from the Government’s Safer Roads Fund to widen bends and replace of around 3,000 metres of kerb.

“We have just spent a load of money up there,” said Cllr Brown.

“The road has been closed for sometime for safety upgrades which has caused a lot of problems because people have had to detour many miles.”

Cllr Poulsen added: “In recent months there has been safety work carried out on this road, including a speed reduction, and we will await the investigation to see if any other safety recommendations are made.”

Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who witnessed the collision or either vehicle prior to the collision and has any dashcam footage or any further information is asked to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team via 101 quoting log number 1520 of 7th September 2021.