THE road layout and condition of the A438 near Eastnor will form part of an ongoing police investigation into a serious accident along the stretch, in which a motorcyclist died.

Highways chiefs have also looked into the circumstances, while insisting road conditions may not be to blame, because the road surface was improved last year with additional signage and markings put in place.

West Midlands Ambulance service confirmed that members of the public attempted to carry out basic life support for the motorbike rider, who died at the scene after his Ducati was involved in a collision with a BMW car last Sunday, June 30, at 11.50am.

The rider of the motorbike, a man in his 50s, has not been named by police, but his family have been informed.

A Herefordshire Council spokesman said: “Any loss of life on the roads is tragic, and we work closely with West Mercia Police to make sure we are doing everything we reasonably can to guide and protect road users.”

But the spokesman added: “We currently have no specific concerns in relation to collisions on the section of the A438 from the county boundary through to Ledbury. Whilst there have been historical incidents on the length in question, the location has been subject to investigation and treatment in 2018. This resulted in improvements to both road surface and additional signing and markings, in a bid to encourage safer driving, and the full length of road is subject to regular ongoing safety monitoring.”

The spokesman added that this particular accident took place just over border, in Worcestershire.

There has been a run of serious accidents on the A438 outside Ledbury in recent years, on both the Herefordshire and Worcestershire side of the border.

A police spokesman said of the ongoing enquiries: “Issues such as road layout, condition, visibility are all looked at as part of the investigation.”

But police are still appealing for witnesses, to help establish the facts.

The BMW was heading towards Eastnor while the motorbike was travelling in the opposite direction.

The spokesman added: “Officers are keen to speak with anyone who saw the incident, or who saw the vehicles and the manner in which they were being driven prior to the collision.”

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found members of the public carrying out basic life support on the rider. They immediately took over but sadly it wasn’t possible to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

News of the accident has caused concern on social media.

Posting on the Voice of Ledbury Facebook site, Jeremy Fryman suggested that the road was “a favourite bikers run, particularly on Sundays”.

He added: “Sometimes there are streams of bikers as they take spin; it’s not only noisy, they are not aware of the hidden dangers.”

And Joyce Millichip, while agreeing said: “It’s a very cornered road; I feel so sorry for the biker.”

The road has an unfortunate history when it comes to accidents.

In June 2018, a motorcyclist in his 40s was airlifted to hospital with ‘life threatening injuries’ after a crash with a Land Rover on the A438 in Berrow. near Malvern.

In October, 2017, a woman in her 70s died following a two car crash on the A438 at Hollybush.

The smash, involving a Silver Peugeot 207 estate and a green Rover 75 saloon car, took place on the A438 at Hollybush.

In October 2008, firefighters freed a woman from her car following a two vehicle collision on the A438 at Rye Cross, Birtsmorton.

The woman was conscious but trapped in her Chrysler following the collision with a Renault van. Crews from Upton and Ledbury cut the top off the vehicle before removing the woman on a spinal board.

In July 2006, a teenaged passenger died at Eastnor when the car he was in left the A438 on a bend.