TRIBUTES have been pouring in for a motorcyclist killed in an accident on the A52 between Osmaston and Brailsford.
Owen Pilkington's white Honda motorcycle, which was travelling from Ashbourne, was involved in a collision with a grey Land Rover Freelander near the junction of Hall Lane on Friday.
The 40-year-old, from Ashlea Drive, Mayfield, was well known in Ashbourne, running his own building company for many years.
Adrian "Weege" Galvin, of Old Derby Hill said: "Owen was a first-rate bloke.
"He's done a lot of work for me in the past, nothing was ever too much trouble for him and he kept his promises. He was a fantastic and very reliable builder.
"We used to have a right laugh together. I would ring him up and ask if I had got through to Cowboy Builders – but he always knew it was me and we'd have a good laugh about that.
"He was always there for his friends – and we will all miss him and his brilliant sense of humour."
Richard Martin knew Owen from their days at Parkside Junior School.
He said: "I've known Owen for over 30 years and we've shared many good times, and sad times.
"Owen was a well-known person in Ashbourne and had lots of friends.
"After passing his bricklayers' course at Wilmorton College, in Derby, he went on to improve his skills working for Tyler and Coates and then branching out on his own and creating a well-respected name for himself in the building trade.
"He'll be sadly missed by all who had the privilege to know him and my sympathy goes out to his family."
Steve Massey, of Ashbourne, also went to school with Owen.
He said: "He was the most genuine person you could ever meet. I will miss him and his brilliant sense of humour.
"I started working with him about five years ago, and we had some great times together.
"He loved his work, it meant the world to him, and he built up a reputation for being honest, reliable and a total perfectionist.
"He really was one of my best friends. We spent so much time together with work that my wife used to say he saw more of me than she did.
"It's just very, very sad for everyone who knew him."
The crash happened on Painters Lane at 9pm. The road was closed until 2am on Saturday.
An e-petition to the Government was launched on Monday, calling for a reduced speed limit around Shirley Hollow and restricting overtaking from Yeldersley Hall through to the junction for Hall Lane, in Shirley.
Police are appealing for anyone who saw the collision or either vehicle prior to it to call the collision investigation unit on 101 and ask for PC Glynn.
