A COUNCILLOR has called for warning signs to be placed at a ‘notorious crash spot’ after a motorcyclist died after an accident there.

Cllr Peter Steen has said he will speak to the Lancashire County Council’s highway team this week to look at the condition of Burnley Road near the former Deeplay Inn, near Weir.

It comes after a 51-year-old man, from Bacup, was knocked off his Yamaha bike in a crash with a Vauxhall Vivaro van on Saturday.

The motorcyclist, from Bacup, was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital after the incident at around 4pm but died shortly after.

The 34-year-old van driver, from Rochdale, was unhurt.

Floral tributes were left at the scene yesterday.

Cllr Steen, who represents the area on Rossendale Council, said: “Something needs to be done.

“There needs to be a warning, such as ‘dangerous bend’ signs, that will help people on that section of the road. It’s effectively a blind bend, you can’t see what’s around the other corner.

“It is a notorious spot for crashes and near misses.

“The weather has an impact as well, it doesn’t even have to be windy or have heavy rain, when the evening comes the temperature drops and visibility worsens. My heart goes out to everyone involved in this awful incident.

“Not just to the family of the man who died, but to the person in the van, they will have to live on with the trauma of what happened.

“I will speak to the council this week about looking at this section of road.”

Officers are still appealing for information about the crash.

The road was closed for three hours while accident investigators attended.

Witnesses reported seeing an air ambulance land next to the road.

James Dyke was trying to pass over the road at around 5pm when he reached a police road block stopping him from going any further.

He said: “This road has been bad for some time as there are no measures in place to stop speeding.”

Sgt Adam Dawson said: “These are tragic circumstances and my thoughts are with the motorcyclist and his family at this sad time.

“We are continuing to appeal for witnesses and would urge anyone who can assist with our enquiries to come forward.

“If you have any information please call 101 quoting log 1147 of February 23.”