One of Bradford Council's top highway engineers - who had a passion for motorcycling - has been killed in a road accident.

Phil Sawley, from Skipton, was riding his motorbike on the A65 between Austwick and Ingleton, in the Yorkshire Dales, when it was in collision with a car at 2pm on Monday.

He suffered injuries and was airlifted to Lancaster Royal Infirmary where he died that evening. Mr Sawley was the Council's principal highways engineer for Shipley, having joined the Council in 1986.

Keith Smith, the Council's head of traffic and highways north, who had known Mr Sawley for nearly 20 years, said today: "Phil will be sadly missed by everyone."

He added: "Not only was Phil highly respected as a traffic engineering specialist within his department but since taking over the Shipley team he had become not only successful in promoting traffic calming schemes and other accident reduction measures but in the general maintenance of the area's road."

He said the loss of Mr Sawley's expertise and outgoing personality would leave a "massive void" in his department. Mr Sawley had been involved in working with the Highways Agency on the Bingley Relief Road.

Councillor Phillip Thornton (Lab, Windhill & Wrose) said: "I was absolutely devastated when I heard the news. He held motorcycling very dear to his heart and it's very sad that it has resulted in his death."

Councillor Vanda Greenwood (Lab, Windhill & Wrose) said: "I always found Phil very helpful in any dealings I had with him and he was always the perfect gentleman. He will be a great loss."

Mr Sawley, who was 53, attended forums in the Aire Valley to explain highway issues to the public. Only last week, he was a guest at Bingley forum, where he responded to a series of questions about roads in the town.

He lived on Rockwood Drive, in Skipton, with his wife Marjorie who works at nearby St Stephen's RC Primary School. Yesterday, Mrs Sawley was said to be too upset to comment on her husband's death.

North Yorkshire Police said an investigation was being carried out. The police will present their findings to the Coroner.

The woman travelling in the car was not injured in the collision.