Campaigners have welcomed plans for new road safety measures following the latest accident at a blackspot on Oxford's Botley Road.

Shortly before 7.30am yesterday, a motorcyclist suffered minor injuries and needed hospital treatment following a collision with a fruit van.

The crash happened a few yards before the railway bridge, close to the entrance of Roger Dudman Way, where there have been two fatal accidents in the past five years, and more than 30 less serious collisions.

Both motorists were approaching Frideswide Square when they collided, causing tailbacks along Botley Road, on the A34, and around the city's ring road.

The county council is now proposing to mark the cycle lane red in front of Roger Dudman Way and Cripley Road and to erect a sign warning drivers turning left from Botley Road.

Cyclist Lisa Harker, 37, lost her unborn child when she was seriously hurt in an accident with an 18-tonne lorry as it turned left into Roger Dudman Way in April 2004.

She said: "It has taken the county council a long time to come up with these proposals, but I'm pleased they are now doing something positive.

"Both these ideas seem sensible.

"It is quite clear that, at present, the cycle path across Roger Dudman Way gives cyclists a false sense of security.

"The red markings on the cycle path should alert both cyclists and drivers."

Simon Banks, a spokesman for the west Oxford branch of the cycling group Cyclox, said: "This latest accident shows that there is insufficient space for vehicles to pass beneath the bridge."

Last month, Cyclox erected a sign at the junction of Roger Dudman Way and Botley Road, which featured a blood-spattered cycle logo being pierced by a left-turning arrow. According to Cyclox, the sign has been removed by the county council.

David Robertson, the county council's executive member for transport, said: "The red cycle track should make everyone more cautious."

In 2000, Rachel Barker was killed by a lorry turning left at the junction of Botley Road and Cripley Road.