NatRoad welcomes the NSW road safety fix yet still urges operators to check vehicles often
The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) says a federal government announcement of $100 million for safety works on Bells Line of Road is money well spent.
NatRoad CEO Warren Clark says the announcement – made jointly by federal infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government minister Catherine King and New South Wales metropolitan roads minister Natalie Ward – comes as flood damage to the road is still under assessment.
“Members have reported that the road has been heavily impacted by extreme weather going back to March 2021, and the subsequent record rainfall has done no favours,” Clark says.
“In 2021, the NRMA said Bells Line of Road was the NSW road with the second-highest fatality rate, with 10 fatalities in seven vehicle crashes.
“We’re glad the Commonwealth and NSW are working together to make it a safer route for all vehicles, but it’s one of so many roads now needing urgent restoration work.”
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Clark renewed his call for all heavy vehicle operators to check their vehicles for signs of water damage proactively and report all road damage to local government and state authorities.
“With recent floods in Western Australia and Queensland, the extent of damage to the nation’s roads is not yet apparent,” Clark says.
“Last month, the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) and Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) jointly estimated the cost to be $3.8 billion, so it’s likely to go higher.
“Our advice to all heavy vehicle operators is to check vehicles and check often.”