Partner's plea over Bewdley bypass after biker's death

Chloe Doughty's partner, Ryan Hastings, died in a collision in August

A woman whose boyfriend died in a motorcycle crash has called for changes to be made to a road where there have been five deaths in five years.

Ryan Hastings, 33, from Kidderminster, was killed on the A456 Bewdley bypass, the fifth death in five years. There have also been 13 serious injuries.

Mr Hastings was involved in a collision on 21 August. MP Mark Garnier also said there should be changes.

West Mercia Police said it enforced speed limits on the bypass regularly.

Mr Hastings was a former British mini-motos champion

Ms Doughty stated her boyfriend loved his bikes and cars.

She added: "He always used to say 'if ever I die on my bike, I'll always have a smile on my face'.

"He always said if he could choose the way he'd go, that would be the way he'd go, but I don't think he ever actually expected it."

Drivers slowed down in the area where the mobile camera was occasionally situated "just for that short period and then they'll race off again", she said.

"I think we are all very guilty of putting our right foot down a little bit sometimes and I think that road is a trap for it.

"If there was something put in place just to make people think twice, I think it would make a difference."

Ms Doughty said Mr Hastings "loved his bikes"

Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier said he had met with police, Worcestershire county highways and councillors to talk about the road.

They all agreed "generally speaking that that whole piece of road from the top of Bewdley Hill in Kidderminster... and then the road up to the Forestry Commission entrance is just bizarre", he stated.

The Conservative MP said it "really shouldn't be 70 miles an hour" past the entrance to West Midland Safari Park and pointed out there were lots of houses in one 60mph (96km/h)-limit area.

He suggested dropping "speed limits down to 40 miles an hour, unless you're on obviously 60 mile an hour roads".

He also appealed for more clarity "about the priority of who gets to use" a middle lane on the Bewdley bypass, where the three lane road is.

West Mercia Police has been investigating what happened following his death

West Mercia Police said: "Bewdley Bypass A456 is an active speed enforcement site and West Mercia Police Road Safety Team continue to enforce there regularly."

Worcestershire County Council said it did not want to comment on the bypass until the police investigation had been completed.