SAFETY on West Somerset's main roads came under the spotlight again this week after four accidents - including one fatality - in as many days. And the spate of collisions prompted renewed calls for highways improvements along at least one of the stretches of road involved. Motorcyclist Neil Cook, from Watchet, died at the scene of a collision involving a Ford Escort and Renault Clio on the A39 at Brakeley Steps near the Luccombe turn-off between Minehead and Porlock on Friday. The previous day, another motorcyclist - also believed to be local - suffered serious chest injuries and was airlifted to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, following a collision with a car on the A39 at St Audries, West Quantoxhead which closed the road for more than four hours. And on Monday afternoon, a three-vehicle shunt on the A39 near the Dunster Steep traffic lights, which left two drivers with minor injuries, was followed within half an hour by a two-vehicle collision between Dunster and Carhampton. In the second of these, one man was trapped and had to be released by firefighters before being taken to Musgrove Park Hospital. Businessman Mr Cook, aged 50, was riding a 1000cc Yamaha motorcycle when Friday's accident happened at about 1.45pm. Mr Cook ran AR Computing in Friday Street, Minehead, with his brother Simon. He and his wife, Jane, had four children. Another brother, Tim Cook, owns a total of six bakery shops, including Jones Bakery in Williton and Watchet. He also had a sister, Sally, and was the son of Ann and Ray Cook. His family has asked for no dark clothing to be worn at the funeral service to celebrate his life, which will be held at St Decuman's Church, in Watchet, on Monday. One of the vehicles involved in the collision, which led to a seven-hour road closure, is believed to have slowed because of a pheasant on the carriageway. A 60-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. Police have appealed for witnesses and anyone with information is asked to contact PC Dave Horseley of the Avon and Somerset force's collision investigation unit on Crimestoppers, 0800 555111. Mr Cook's death was the second fatality within six months on the road between Minehead and Porlock. In March 50-year-old Taunton businessman Joseph Lanfranchi died when, not wearing a seat belt, he was involved in a high-speed crash near the top of the Bratton Straight. At his inquest, West Somerset coroner Michael Rose said he would be forwarding the papers and highlighting the safety concerns of local residents to highways chiefs. Fridays' accident led to renewed calls for road safety improvements from the Holnicote Estate Tenants' Association, which has campaigned for action and previously described the stretch of road between Bratton and Brandish Street as "a death trap". Association chairman David Dalton told the Free Press this week: "It is with deep regret that we learn of yet another fatal accident on the A39 between Minehead and Porlock. "We and Selworthy Parish Council have over the past few years approached the highways authority in an endeavour to improve safety measures on this section of the road. "The minimum we see that would be required is a 50mph speed limit and double white lines to discourage overtaking." Mr Dalton said a petition in support of the measures had been sent to highways chiefs, but to no avail. "Surely now the highways authority must realise the justification of our genuine concern and take action before another of the near misses that local people encounter daily translates into more fatalities? "Our sincere condolences go to the family of the victim of the latest tragic accident." The inadequacies of West Somerset's highways network was also raised at a meeting of Minehead Town Council on Monday. The district's MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said he was "desperately worried" about the roads. "There are too many deaths and injuries. These roads are West Somerset's arteries. "I fought to get rid of the speed limits that Somerset County Council introduced - perhaps I was wrong. "I don't know, but I think we definitely need a debate on the whole issue." Inspector Nic Crocker, the district's police sector commander, told town councillors that the spate of accidents was still under investigation. "Obviously, we have to look at the reasons behind each individual incident." Inspector Crocker said the lengthy road closure for the recent fatal accident had been unavoidable but admitted it had caused "mayhem" for motorists. "We have to treat the scene of a fatal accident the same as we would a murder scene." Inspector Crocker said, although he had no reason to believe it had played any part in the recent tragedy, alcohol was a prevalent cause of road collisions in West Somerset. "It is not a hard job for my officers to go out and find a drink-driver," he said.