A59 safety call as tributes pour in after Darwen dad's motorcycle death (From Blackburn Citizen)
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A59 safety call as tributes pour in after Darwen dad's motorcycle death
10:27am Monday 24th September 2012 in News
By Catherine Pye, Health reporter
TRAGEDY Ronnie Birch
TRIBUTES have been paid to a father-of-two killed at an accident blackspot.
Darwen man Ronald Birch, known as Ronnie to his friends and family, died on the A59 when his motorbike collided with a lorry near Sawley.
Today a council leader called for a probe into making the road safer.
An air ambulance was called to help the 39-year-old, but he died at the scene, police said.
The accident happened opposite the Dunbia abattoir. Both vehicles had been travelling towards Gisburn when the crash happened.
Numerous calls have been made for increased safety measures on the stretch of road, between Sawley and Gisburn, because of the high number of serious accidents there.
Yesterday tributes were posted to the latest victim on the Lancashire Telegraph website and Facebook .
One said: “Ronnie, you were a good man and didn't deserve this. I only knew you for a short while but you made a big impact on my life. Hoped we could be together for a lot longer. Life is too short. Rest in Peace my love xxx”
Tributes have also been paid on a dedicated memorial website created by friend Ben Cradock.
A tribute left by Mr Birch’s sister Nicki said: “I miss you so, so much, please just come back, no one can ever replace such a great guy. Best dad, son, brother, uncle and friend. You will always, always be missed honey, sleep well and don’t be annoying the angels xxxxxxxxx love you xxxxxxx.”
Mr Birch, said to be separated from his wife Deborah, also leaves children Jordan Kemp and Chelsie Birch, brother Alan and mum Jean.
He attended Heysham High School before moving to East Lancashire.
Mr Birch was listed as a director of home care company Domiciliary Care Services (UK) Ltd, based in Clitheroe, and is also thought that Mr Birch used to run the Jimmy Clitheroe cafe in Clitheroe.
Sawley councillor and Ribble Valley Council leader Michael Ranson said: “It’s absolutely terrible to hear of another fatality in that area.
“The road near the abattoir is a dangerous area. It is a single carriageway that widens out and there’s a 60 mile an hour limit.
“Due to the nature of the situation, I think the county council and the police should look at a redesign or other measure to make it safer.”
In the past decade there have been more than 20 accidents on that stretch of the A59.
In August 2008, a 17-year-old boy died between Sawley Road and Mill Lane, near to the then County Foods factory, when his van collided with an on-coming burgundy-coloured Land Rover Discovery.
In May 2008, a 67-year-old cyclist died after he collided with a black Ford Focus.
In September 2007, a 60-year-old woman was killed when her Mazda car collided with a Peugeot 106.
And in March 2005, a 76-year-old retired GP died when he pulled out of Sabden Road onto the A59.
County Councillor Albert Atkinson said: “We have just resurfaced the road and done all sorts.
“However, I do feel very sorry when I hear that another person has been killed, and if we can do some more engineering works, we will.
“I would like to see a speed camera put up around there, but we’re not allowed because of some stupid half European, half our law about it not being lit.
“If you follow the same road into Yorkshire, near Ripon, they have signs up saying that so many people have died along the road, and I think we need something like that. I will be speaking to the highways department to see if we can have one.”
Sergeant Sean Cunningham said: “An investigation is under way and I would appeal to anybody that witnessed this collision, which happened at around 3pm on Friday, and didn’t stop at the scene to come forward and contact police.”
Contact Lancashire Police on 101.
Comments(21)
eastlancslad
says...
11:12am Mon 24 Sep 12
However, without knowing the facts about how the accident happened, I think it's a bit too soon to blame it 'on the road'.
I travel this section of the A59 day in and day out, at all times of day, and in all weather conditions, and I know the road is safe. It's the drivers/riders who cause the accidents, not the layout of the tarmac. To make a list of several accidents which happen at very different places along this road is just pathetic, and rubbish reporting.
Careless drivers/bad drivers/etc are a fact of life. Treat every other driver on the road as a potential risk, and keep your eyes open. Fancy chicanes, red tarmac, hatched sections, speed traps etc will not stop the bad drivers. Watch out for them, and take the required actions.
Or, given the amount of grass at the side of the road at this point, make it a dual carridgeway!
bril67
says...
11:52am Mon 24 Sep 12
bril67
says...
11:54am Mon 24 Sep 12
brossen99
says...
2:26pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Mitchell98
says...
8:29pm Mon 24 Sep 12
eastlancslad wrote:I am Ronnie Birch's nephew. I know for a fact he was a very good driver, he NEVER, EVER sped on ANY road given any circumstances. For you to say that it may have been his fault is absolutely disgusting and sickening.
It's sad enough to hear of an untimely death, and my commiserations go out to Mr. Birch's family.
However, without knowing the facts about how the accident happened, I think it's a bit too soon to blame it 'on the road'.
I travel this section of the A59 day in and day out, at all times of day, and in all weather conditions, and I know the road is safe. It's the drivers/riders who cause the accidents, not the layout of the tarmac. To make a list of several accidents which happen at very different places along this road is just pathetic, and rubbish reporting.
Careless drivers/bad drivers/etc are a fact of life. Treat every other driver on the road as a potential risk, and keep your eyes open. Fancy chicanes, red tarmac, hatched sections, speed traps etc will not stop the bad drivers. Watch out for them, and take the required actions.
Or, given the amount of grass at the side of the road at this point, make it a dual carridgeway!
To my Uncle Ronnie;
Love you lots! Missing you day in day out.. please just come back and be here, please :'( xxxxxxx
-Mitch
cotterill
says...
11:26pm Mon 24 Sep 12
eastlancslad
says...
7:49am Tue 25 Sep 12
I did say that we would need to know the facts before anybody can be blamed.
I also understand that you will be upset amd may feel the need to lash out at something or someone. I too have lost a parent under less than normal circumstances.
If I have offended you, then I apologise.
jean1947
says...
11:28am Tue 25 Sep 12
xxx
jean1947
says...
11:33am Tue 25 Sep 12
Mitchell98
says...
4:01pm Tue 25 Sep 12
He had a stepdaughter called Brook, a Dad called Alan Birch (my Grandad), not ALL of the immediate family are included, which I think is not acceptable. Ammend this ASAP.
-mitch
Donnaor
says...
5:36pm Tue 25 Sep 12
171096
says...
7:56pm Tue 25 Sep 12
eastlancslad wrote:Remember you are personally responsible for what you post on this site and must abide by our site terms. Do not post anything that is false, abusive or malicious. If you wish to complain, please use the ‘report this post’ link.
Mitch, please read my post again. Nowhere do I say your uncle was at fault - it might have been the truck driver.
I did say that we would need to know the facts before anybody can be blamed.
I also understand that you will be upset amd may feel the need to lash out at something or someone. I too have lost a parent under less than normal circumstances.
If I have offended you, then I apologise.
Would the reporter of this article plz read the beginning of this comment and take a long hard look at how you do your job and go about obtaining your info of family members on who you report on.
This has been a very upsetting time for my family,the last thing we need is for some two bit reporter looking for a story,
Also would anybody else commenting on this tragedy plz leave only comments of condolence as a remark of respect. R.I.P. BROTHER
171096
says...
8:00pm Tue 25 Sep 12
171096 wrote:my last post was ment for the reporter of the article not you eastlancslad.
eastlancslad wrote:Remember you are personally responsible for what you post on this site and must abide by our site terms. Do not post anything that is false, abusive or malicious. If you wish to complain, please use the ‘report this post’ link.
Mitch, please read my post again. Nowhere do I say your uncle was at fault - it might have been the truck driver.
I did say that we would need to know the facts before anybody can be blamed.
I also understand that you will be upset amd may feel the need to lash out at something or someone. I too have lost a parent under less than normal circumstances.
If I have offended you, then I apologise.
Would the reporter of this article plz read the beginning of this comment and take a long hard look at how you do your job and go about obtaining your info of family members on who you report on.
This has been a very upsetting time for my family,the last thing we need is for some two bit reporter looking for a story,
Also would anybody else commenting on this tragedy plz leave only comments of condolence as a remark of respect. R.I.P. BROTHER
karltop
says...
6:26pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Mitchell98
says...
8:13pm Wed 26 Sep 12
karltop wrote:You horrible, horrible person.
I know how to make this road safer, - ban these bikes.
How does banning motorcyclists make a road safer? That's disgusting to hear.
To be honest, you're an arrogant person.
It was NOT his fault he died, OK? You've just made a horrible comment and that's probably offended a lot of people in our family..
If you've nothing nice to say, no condolenses, DON'T COMMENT AT ALL.
LEAVE ***NICE*** COMMENTS ONLY, OR NONE AT ALL!
karltop
says...
10:31pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Most people are incapable of using these machines safely, and that's a fact.
Mitchell98
says...
3:47pm Thu 27 Sep 12
karltop wrote:I am pretty sure they have to past a safety test in order to drive them, otherwise, you would be correct.
There was nothing horrible or arrogant about it, it was simply the truth.
Most people are incapable of using these machines safely, and that's a fact.
171096
says...
5:33pm Sat 29 Sep 12
karltop wrote:YOU OBVIOUSLY CAN'T READ,.I RIDERS BROTHER ASKED FOR PEOPLE TO LEAVE ONLY COMMENTS OF CONDOLENCE AS A MARK OF RESPECT TO MY BROTHER,NOT TO CAUSE MORE UPSET. MY BROTHER AS HAD MOTORBIKES ALL HIS LIFE. THIS JUST A TRAGIC ACCIDENT...PEOPLE LIKE YOU MAKE ME SICK...
There was nothing horrible or arrogant about it, it was simply the truth.
Most people are incapable of using these machines safely, and that's a fact.
BeverlyN
says...
8:10am Tue 2 Oct 12
jean1947
says...
8:28am Tue 2 Oct 12
Donnaor says...
10:48am Mon 24 Sep 12