The crash happened just yards away from where a 42-year-old motorcyclist died when he was in collision with a car earlier this summer.

Borough and county councillor Les Ames, who lives near the crash site and went to the scene to help yesterday, told his fellow Weymouth and Portland councillors just last week about the

hazards of the Portland Bill Road.

His proposal to introduce a blanket speed limit of 40mph on six of the island's roads passed its first hurdle at a meeting of the environment and conservation committee last Monday.

Coun Ames said today he would be handing letters of protest written by Southwell residents to the offices of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and Dorset County Council in a bid to speed up the process.

As well as a reduced speed limit - a move which Coun Ames accepts will be an expensive and lengthy process - campaigners want to see better road signs warning motorists of the road which is full of twists and turns.

Coun Ames said: "Something has to be done about that road, it is treacherous.

"This is the second road death in just a few months. Motorists are not aware how dangerous the road can be.

"Residents are becoming increasingly worried. One of them who lives near the accident spot has put blocks of stone outside to protect her property."

Police say Sunday's accident happened when the man, riding a blue and white Yamaha R6 bike, left the road at about 12.15pm.

He had been travelling as part of an organised ride to Portland Bill with a group from his home city of Salisbury.

The man was airlifted to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester by the air ambulance but died shortly after.

On Saturday June 21 a 42-year-old man from Staffordshire died instantly when his bike collided head-on with a car on the same stretch of road. His female passenger was thrown from the bike and sustained serious injuries.

Coun Ames said: "I was having lunch at the Eight Kings yesterday when I heard about the accident.

"I ran down to see if I could help with anything. It was an awful tragedy."

He added: "I now intend to press on with my campaign to curb the amount of accidents of Portland's roads.

"Incidents like this highlight just how hazardous our roads can be."

Witnesses and anyone with information about the accident are urged to contact PC Andy Steele at the road policing unit in Dorchester on 01305 251212.

A second motorcyclist was killed on Dorset's roads over the weekend..

The 55yearold man was riding a black Triumph motorcycle when he crashed in Woolsbridge Road in St Leonards on Saturday night, police said.

No other vehicles were involved.

The rider, who lives in the St Leonards area, died in hospital shortly after the crash.

Witnesses should contact police on 01202 552099.