Tributes have been pouring in to the man killed in a crash on a stretch of the A19 he campaigned to make safer.
Former councillor John Duggan, 81, died in hospital after a collision between his car and a skip lorry on Friday morning.
It happened on the A19 at Riccall, at the northbound junction with York Road, at about 10.30am.
Selby MP Keir Mather led tributes to Mr Duggan. “I’m devastated to hear about the death of John Duggan in the crash on the A19 on Friday,” he posted on Facebook.
“John was a well-known and much-loved local man, a father, uncle and a grandfather. He was known too for his time as a union convener, a Selby District and North Yorkshire County Councillor and, perhaps most poignantly, as a campaigner for better road safety in Riccall.
“The most important thing in the next few days is that John’s family are given the time to grieve and reflect on his memory, both as a family man and as a proud local campaigner for the village he called home.”
His many friends have also being paying tribute. One said on Facebook: “So very, very sorry to hear this dreadful news. John was such a friendly and community spirited man.”
Crash location
Another said: “He really did care about people and the community.”
And a third wrote: “Very sorry to hear this news. I knew John well and his family and community were the centre of his life.”
John campaigned to make the stretch of road where he died safer for all road users. He told the York Press way back in 2007: “The stretch of the A19 that runs past Riccall is one of the fastest sections of the road, and the speed of traffic using this section is totally unacceptable to local people who are trying to enter and exit the village.”
Labour MP Mr Mather said: “This tragedy makes awfully clear the need for road safety improvements at both A19 junctions in Riccall.
“When I’ve canvassed or held drop-in events in Riccall this has always been what’s come up. Anyone who uses either of the Riccall / A19 junctions knows that they feel unsafe, and that’s what I’ve tried to impress on North Yorkshire Council previously – that we need a new roundabout or at the very least a speed reduction.
“I will redouble my efforts to make North Yorkshire Council think again about the necessity of road safety improvements in Riccall.”
He added: “We owe it to his memory to see action taken, and people in Riccall can be certain of my full and unwavering support.”
