POPULAR WORDS

Industry groups have backed the NSW Government’s $4.4 billion road infrastructure investment, but have called for more to be done promoting road safety.

The NSW branch of the Australian Trucking Association wants a road safety roundtable established from the $234 million set aside by Treasurer Eric Roozendaal to improve road safety.

“The roads funded in today’s budget will continue to benefit the people of NSW and the trucking industry long after the present recession is just a memory,” ATA NSW manager Jill Lewis says.

“It is essential, however, that the State Government consults road user groups like ATA NSW about how to spend the money, so every dollar is spent in the best way possible.”

“Including the ATA NSW on the [road safety] roundtable as the state trucking industry’s peak body would be an excellent start on making sure the extra money is spent effectively.”

The NRMA has backed funding for the Pacific Highway, which has long been a safety issue for motorists.

“Communities along the coast have been waiting since 1989 for the promise of dual carriageway to be fulfilled, with the most recent deadline being set at 2016,” NRMA Motoring and Services President Wendy Machin says.

“The Pacific Highway is one of the nation’s most important roads and completing the upgrade by 2016 must be a priority for the Australian and NSW governments.”