A PETITION of around 6,000 names calling for safety improvements at a Skipton road junction where a young motorcyclist was killed is to be presented today (Thursday) to a meeting of the county council.

The results of a written petition and an online Change.org petition, which has so far gathered more than 5, 300 names, will be presented to councillors at the Craven Area Committee of North Yorkshire County Council at its meeting at Herriot's Hotel, Skipton.

Embsay resident, Susie Storah, started the petition following the death last month of 20 year old Edward Brier, of Earby. Edward was riding his Suzuki motorbike towards Skipton along the A65 from the direction of Harrogate when he was in collision with a Jeep Cherokee at the junction with the A6131.

Mrs Storah, who has marshalled the support of 18 volunteers to help collect signatures, says she has been overwhelmed by the support, which has come from far and wide, including America and Australia.

Skipton county councillor Andy Solloway is to talk in support of safety improvements at today's meeting, and Cllr John Dawson, deputy leader of Craven District Council, has also given it his support.

Cllr Dawson has also raised concerns about an increase of traffic using the junction following the residential development of 'Pig Field' at the top of The Bailey.

"The longer term solution is surely a roundabout," he said. "However, there is a short term change that can be made relatively easily to at least reduce the distractions. The right hand turn from the east bound side of the A65 into Skipton should be blocked off and traffic required to go to the roundabout at the A59/A65 junction and come back to the Skipton turning."

An investigation of the site was carried out following the accident by North Yorkshire County Council and North Yorkshire Police. The council has said the investigation will determine whether any highways design or conditions on the day had anything to do with the collision and whether any changes are necessary.

Today's Craven Area Committee meeting of North Yorkshire County Council will take place at Heriot's Hotel, Broughton Road, at 10am.