CALLS for safety measures on a rural lane have been made after a biker came off his motorcycle while swerving to avoid a car on the wrong side of the road.

The biker was left with a broken toe, slashed knees and badly bruised bone after the incident on Stock Lane, Axford, on Sunday morning. His wife later took to social media to express her disappointment at the other driver involved, who did not stop to check if he was OK.

Although the biker has not reported the crash to police, residents have now called for improved visibility on the stretch of road.

His wife Amanda took to Facebook and said: “To the driver of the blue car on the road between Aldbourne and Axford who was driving on the wrong side of the road at speed and took my husband off his motorbike. He is alive, by the way. He has commented about how poor the visibility is due to the banks not being cut and being all overgrown.”

Horrified locals branded the lane a rat run and took to social media saying they want Slow signs on the road, which has a 60mph speed limit, narrows in some parts and includes sharp bends.

It is often used as a diversion when others in the area such as the A346 are closed or as a cut through by commuters.

Claire Court lives in Axford and said: “The Aldbourne to Axford road is driven on far too fast by the majority of road users.

“It’s a dangerous road because of the bends and dips and because banks and verges are really overgrown.

“I have been greeted by a vehicle on the wrong side of the road.” Facebook poster Beccy Dinmamode added: “Those banks could really do with cutting, they make people drive further out.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “The council is empowered to ensure owners carry out their legal duties. We inspect reports to ensure the highway is maintained in a safe condition.”