THE tragic death of a young motorcyclist at a notorious junction on the A65 at Skipton has sparked calls for safety improvements.

The 20 year old from Earby, who was travelling towards Skipton from the direction of Harrogate, was declared dead at the scene on Friday evening after his Suzuki motorcycle was in collision with a four by four at the junction with the A6131.

His pillion passenger, an 18 year old from Silsden, remains at Leeds General Infirmary where she is recovering from her injuries.

The occupants of the Jeep Cherokee, which was turning onto the A65 from the Skipton Castle turn off and heading towards Harrogate, were not injured but deeply shocked by the incident.

Susie Storah, who lives in Embsay, says she plans to ask North Yorkshire highways authority to look at possible safety improvements at the junction and plans to launch a petition.

Her appeal has already received a lot of comments on social media, with dozens of people pledging their support.

Mrs Storah, who says she tries not to use the junction because of its reputation, says earlier this year she witnessed a collision at the same spot.

"I was privy to one moments after the crash and had two of the victims sat in my car shivering in shock and bleeding, waiting for the ambulance, it was around 9am so I guess they were just on their way to work," she said.

"I cannot sit back and wait for this to happen again. The highways (authority) need to sit up and take responsibility for the public's safety. We have to prevent another family going through the agonies of an unnecessary loss of life again."

The road remained closed after the accident, which happened at about 7.25pm on Friday, and was not reopened until 12.40am on Saturday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision or to anyone who may have seen either the blue Jeep Cherokee or the blue Suzuki motorcycle beforehand to get in contact with them on the non emergency 101 number, selecting option two and asking for the major collision investigation team, or email MCIT@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, quoting reference number 12170184025.