A COMMUNITY is in shock today after a motorcyclist was killed in a crash.

The male victim, believed to have been in his 50s, was declared dead at the scene after sustaining serious injuries in the collision on the unadopted Broughton Mills Road in Bretton just after 1.30pm yesterday.

He was riding a Yamaha motorbike when it was in collision with a green Ford Mondeo on the Chester Road junction near to Broughton Shopping Park.

The driver of the Ford Mondeo is not believed to have been hurt.

Cllr Derek Butler, vice-chairman of Broughton and Bretton Community Council, said last night: “It is very upsetting to hear of an accident like this in the village.

“It is tragic and sends shockwaves through the community. The thoughts of everybody at this time will be with the man’s family.”

Road closures were quickly imposed around the scene, including on the lengthy Chester Road running through the village.

Broughton Shopping Park roundabout and Saltney Ferry junction were both closed off. Witnesses also saw a police helicopter hovering above following the collision, with many officers at the scene.

The incident was described as “quite shocking” by witnesses as they came to terms with the severity of the incident.

A female resident of Chester Road, who asked not to be named, said another collision had occurred in recent weeks near where the man died and there had been requests for increased speed restrictions on the current 60mph stretch.

“It is very sad for anyone to die in this way and I’d like to express my sympathies to the family of the person who died,” she said.

“We have now had two accidents here in a few weeks and it is very concerning.

“As residents we have been calling for a reduction in the speed limit as this is a dangerous road, with traffic coming out of junctions.”

Cllr Butler said the road concerns have been brought to the attention of councillors.

“There is tension in the village. People consider Bretton a traffic island ringed by roads,” he said.

“The issue has been flagged up by residents at police meetings.”

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to contact officers at the Eastern Roads Policing Unit on 101 or 0845 6071002.