A MOTORCYCLIST died on a closed-off stretch of a notorious main road after thieves stole the signs that would have warned him the road was closed, an inquest heard.

Experienced rider Douglas Young was killed when he hit a concrete barrier on the A228 Ratcliffe Highway at Hoo, near Strood.

An inquest at Gillingham was told the accident was still under investigation by the Health and Safety Executive.

After the hearing, Mr Young’s widow, Maureen, said: “He never stood a chance. If the signs had been there he would have known not to go down that road. The signs should have been secured and, because they weren’t, lives were put at stake and Doug lost his.”

Coroner Roger Sykes was told the accident happened on August 29, 2005. Father of two Mr Young, 66, of Bramley Road, Snodland, near Rochester, was thought to be on his way home from visiting a friend.

A dual carriageway had recently opened, but part of the old road was open to allow access to homes and businesses.

Mr Young, who was travelling at about 37mph, would have passed these before reaching the closed-off section but police evidence at the inquest said warning signs and cones had been removed and there was nothing to suggest a closure.

Mr Young was found, trapped between the concrete barrier and his Yamaha bike. John Underwood, investigating officer for the HSE, said the inquiry found the area had been subject to vandalism.

“It was the duty of contractors to maintain the signs so even if vandals had removed them, you would expect the contractors to monitor this,” he added.

Mr Sykes recorded a verdict of accidental death but added: “It is by no means that I wish to imply his death was just one of those things that happens as a result of a series of accidental circumstances.”

Mrs Young later said: “Doug had more than 40 years experience at riding and would never have gone down the road if he’d seen warning signs. Bikes were his passion, his love.”