A MOTORCYCLIST has died after hitting a parked van on the A48.
He was heading from Chepstow towards Lydney on a Honda CBR900 Fireblade when the collision happened on a short stretch of dual carriageway at Woolaston on Saturday.
Emergency services arrived at 7pm but the 45-year-old man, believed to be from Lydney, was pronounced dead at the scene.
It's not known what caused the crash but Woolaston resident Nick Pearce said the second death in four years within a matter of yards means safety officials should take another look at it.
"The speed camera in Woolaston is in the wrong place and the chevrons should have an unbroken border to stop overtaking there," he said. "People have died here before and it has to stop."
A fatal accident there in 2009 was preceded by another 20 years ago, he said.
Highways officials have previously told Mr Pearce the site doesn't meet the criteria for a speed camera as there has not been a minimum of three fatal or serious accidents, plus three slight accidents over the last three full years.
Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for highways, councillor Vernon Smith, said the police's report in to the collision would have to be looked at.
"I am thinking of the man's family at this time and I send my condolences to them," he said.
County councillor for the division which covers the village, Patrick Molyneux, said much work is being done to improve motorcyclists' safety in the Forest of Dean.
"It is awful when something like this happens but I am not sure what can be done to stop accidents like this," he said.
Bagbiyre Pun of the Woolaston Inn was saddened at the crash which happened close to his restaurant.
"I went to help but there was not much I could do," he said.
The man's family has been informed, as has the Gloucestershire Coroner.
The road was closed for three-and-a-half hours.
